Workforce Initiatives

DEVELOPING FUTURE WORKFORCE

Experience the power of collaboration with Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) as we join forces with schools, industry leaders, and area stakeholders to ignite innovation in education!

 

 

What's So Cool About Manufacturing Logo
PA Dream Team logo
Steam Logo
Manufacturing Day logo
MRC - Inside Manufacturing

Manufacturers Resource Center works collaboratively with schools, industry, and area stakeholders to create innovative programs that feature technical careers and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) and technical education to students, parents, and educators. The purpose of MRC Workforce Initiative youth engagement programs is to improve the talent pool of students pursuing technical skills and increase the number of students interested in the STEM careers so that projected workforce demands and opportunities at area manufacturing companies are filled with the right skilled employees.

WHAT’S SO COOL ABOUT MANUFACTURING® STUDENT VIDEO CONTEST

What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® (WSCM) is a video-based educational tool created by a consortium of partners led by MRC in 2013 that increases awareness of career paths and technology in manufacturing through “peer marketing”, kids telling kids what’s so cool about manufacturing jobs.  The program is executed as a dynamic student video contest between 7th and 8th grade student teams.

PA DREAM TEAM

The PA Dream Team career exploration program is an innovative ambassador program.  MRC trains young STEM professionals at area manufacturers to share their career and life stories to K-12 students using PowerPoint presentations and hands-on activities. The most effective way to expose area students to STEM careers, technology, and modern manufacturing environments is by meeting young successful employees who work in the field.

MRC created the PA Dream Team program in the Lehigh Valley in 2016. The program expanded to Berks County in 2021 and launched in Schuylkill County in 2023.  The expansion of MRC’s PA Dream Team program continues throughout central and eastern PA.

Dream Team member career stories include a description of their job, their company, their educational choices, their lifestyle, and how they are making a difference through their career choice.   PA Dream Team members are employees mostly under the age of 30 working at area manufacturing companies.  By serving on a collaborate and innovative ambassador team, they help unlock interest among students to consider similar STEM careers.

INSIDE MANUFACTURING SERIES

Manufacturers Resource Center partnered with PBS39 to create an online video series, “Inside Manufacturing”. Very few have seen what advanced manufacturing facilities look like on the inside.

Inside Manufacturing

The Inside Manufacturing (IM) Series opens the doors to Lehigh Valley companies revealing the technology, career opportunities and modern work environments that are characteristic of today’s manufacturing companies.

Each one-minute video was edited and created using the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® Student Video Contest footage filmed by area middle school students. For years Lehigh Valley students have researched area companies to find out what a job is like in manufacturing and to showcase their discoveries to their peers through media presentation.

Interested in opening your doors for a private tour with area high school students? Contact Karen Buck, karen.buck@mrcpa.org

COOL RESOURCES FOR MANUFACTURERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS

Explore WhatSoCool.org, a website brimming with invaluable resources. Whether you’re a student seeking exciting career prospects, an educator striving to enhance your teaching arsenal, or a family eager to support your child’s educational journey, this platform has got you covered. Delve into the extensive collection of resources designed to empower students with comprehensive insights into manufacturing careers. Furthermore, if you represent a manufacturing company, WhatSoCool.org also provides guidance on how your organization can actively contribute to the growth and development of the industry.

MANUFACTURING DAY

Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Although Manufacturing Day officially occurs on the first Friday in October, Manufacturers Resource Center encourages area manufacturers to open their doors during the month of October for tours with local high school students.

Are you interested in partnering with area schools?

Contact Karen Buck, Director of Workforce Initiatives:

Email: karen.buck@mrcpa.org

Karen Buck

Training and Certifications

MRC provides far more than certifications and funding assistance. We offer job creators access to specialized coaching, mentorship and a variety of business and marketing assistance normally outside the reach of most manufacturers.

Solutions

No matter what’s happening with your business, MRC has probably seen it. We know the problems that keep CEOs up at night, and we know how to help solve them. Our staff has more than 100 years of combined experience working side-by-side with business owners to evaluate, strategize, discover and implement solutions that address both strategic growth needs and organizational transformation.

Training & Events Calendar

MRC breaks down the barriers that prohibit manufacturers from realizing their full potential. Our proven tactics and methods can help nearly any company at nearly any stage of its evolution. Whatever the hurdle – going green, becoming lean, entering new markets, rebranding the company – MRC can help you clear it.

Workforce Initiatives

Developing Future Workforce with programs like: What’s So Cool About Manufacturing®, PA Dream Team, the Inside Manufacturing Series, and Manufacturing Day.

Resources

Through our partnerships, we are able to bring the horsepower of the best-in-breed experts to you. Imagine having access to the second-largest technology institute in the world, a corps of ex-Toyota executives trained under the best Lean practitioners in the world or world-renowned business strategy groups. MRC makes it possible.

About Us

For over 30 years, Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) has helped small and mid-sized manufacturers become more competitive, adopt lean and agile processes, strategically grow their companies and invest more effectively in their existing human capital.

My Account

Ready to complete your event registration? Need to confirm the date of a previous registration? Find all these details here or call us at (610) 628-4640 for additional assistance.