The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has organized the annual Manufacturing Day for Effingham County to be held this coming week on Thursday, October 5th. This will be the 5th year that students from regional high schools come into Effingham to tour local manufacturing facilities to get acquainted with the jobs that are available at our modern manufacturing facilities. Many of our positions here locally are technologically advanced; utilize automation, robotics and other state-of-the-art equipment to produce a wide variety of products that are shipped around the world.
Thirteen local manufacturers will be hosting student tours this year. Participating manufacturers are Versatech, LLC; Stevens Industries; Siemer Milling Company; Quad Graphics, John Boos&Co.; Three Z Printing; The Sherwin-Williams Company; Hodgson Mills; ADM Animal Nutrition; Nova Solutions, Inc.; Mechanovent Corp./The New York Blower Company; Continental Mills; Kingery Printing.
Students will begin their day at the Effingham Event Center for a Mayoral Proclamation, then disperse for the morning tours, return to the Event Center for lunch and activities, and then go back out for the third tour of the day. “The future of our community depends on the education and vocational opportunities that align with our manufacturers’ skilled labor needs”, said Chamber President & CEO Norma Lansing. “By exposing our youth to the potential for satisfying careers right here in Effingham County, we are building the workforce of tomorrow.
JoAnn Sasse Givens, Director of Workforce Development for the Chamber said, “It is essential that we work together to ensure the ongoing prosperity of our region. There is an increasing demand for both entry, mid-level, and highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector that can run the lines, run the machines, and design, program and operate the robotics and the technology”. She further stated, “Effingham County ships double the dollars per capita in manufactured goods as the state average, and therefore is one of Effingham County’s largest industry sectors and a manufacturing hub in Southern Illinois.”
Over 300 students, teachers, and counselors from sixteen area high schools will be participating in the event along with volunteers from the business community and Lake Land College. Participating Schools are Altamont High School, Aspire Alternative School, Beecher City High School, Brownstown High School, Cowden-Herrick High School, Cumberland High School, Dieterich High School, Effingham High School, New Approach Alternative School, North Clay High School, Pathways Alternative School, Saint Anthony High School, St. Elmo High School, Stewardson-Strasburg High School, Teutopolis High School, and TLC Alternative School.
Effingham County Manufacturing Day is sponsored by The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, The City of Effingham, The County of Effingham, The Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, Waupaca Foundry, and the participating manufacturers.
The Chamber invites the community to take part in any or all of the activities for the day. The cost of the lunch is $15, and reservations can be made with the Chamber Office, 903 North Keller Drive, or by calling 217-342-4147.
For more information about Effingham County Manufacturing Day, visit www.effinghamcountychamber.com. Information about the national observance of Manufacturing Day can be found at www.mfgday.com.