On October 9th, 2019, Peterborough and the Kawarthas are hosting an open door tour of manufacturing companies. Over 40 participants are already expected, including guidance counsellors, pathways consultants and teachers from the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) and the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB).

Bring STEM To Life with a Tour of Manufacturing Plants

It can be powerful to connect your STEM (science, technology, education and math) lessons to examples of careers that use the skills you are teaching. What better way to connect the classroom to the workplace than through a local example? During your tour of manufacturing plants in the Peterborough and Kawarthas area, you’ll see plenty of examples of computer engineering, industrial technology, metallurgy and math being put to use by many different technical experts.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the eastern Ontario economy, and the local economic development and workforce development offices (like Ontario East) are working hard to make sure the next generation is prepared for these jobs. One of the major pillars in this effort is connecting education and training for manufacturing professions to the future workforce. Another pillar is ensuring students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors know all about the exciting careers that exist right in the region, so young talent remains close by.

Consider organizing a tour like this one in your community so that you can bring high-tech applications back into the classroom and guidance office. Connect with Ontario East to learn how to make it happen.

Simply by exposing youth to all the exciting careers right in their backyard, you’ll be broadening their horizons and helping to keep manufacturing strong in eastern Ontario.

How To Make Learning About Careers in Manufacturing Fun

You’ll learn a ton about technical careers during the tour of manufacturing companies that you can share with your students, but it’s important to inject some fun into the process as well. Try staging a Game of LIFE activity in your classroom using this infographic to show how much money you could make and what you would be doing on a daily basis if you work in the local manufacturing industry.

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