Clover Park Technical College hosts Pierce County Manufacturing Day Expo Oct. 5

By Jean Borst

Pierce County manufacturers want to connect with the next generation of talent. Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) is helping to make that happen.

On Oct. 5, the College’s Walstrum Center for Advanced Manufacturing will host the inaugural Pierce County Manufacturing Day Expo. The free event is open to the public, and will bring together local high school students and industry leaders for a full afternoon of innovation and industry insights. Attendees will learn about new frontiers in manufacturing, including automation, robotics, instrumentation and process control, and supply chain logistics equipment.

Pierce County Manufacturing Day Expo is presented by CPTC, City of Lakewood, City of Tacoma, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB), Pierce County Economic Development and Impact Washington.

“We look forward to welcoming students, educators, manufacturers and community partners who are dedicated to supporting and advancing the manufacturing sector,” CPTC President Dr. Joyce Loveday said. “In addition to offering an inside view of the industry and the exciting careers it offers, the Expo will also showcase CPTC’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Programs offered in this high-tech facility prepare our students with the essential skills, knowledge and immersive experience they need to pursue a wide range of high-demand careers.”

Spotlight on Pierce County

Designed as the ultimate Pierce County manufacturing showcase, the Expo will feature:

• 20 Pierce County manufacturing industry exhibitors.
• Guest speakers, including:
  • Claire Korschinowski, CPTC Dean of Instruction, Aerospace, Technology, Manufacturing and Workforce
  • Jason Whalen, City of Lakewood Mayor
  • Keith Blocker, Tacoma City Councilmember and Chair of the Council’s Economic Development Committee
  • Maddie Merton, EDB Vice President for Business Retention
• A panel discussion featuring Pierce County manufacturing leaders and CPTC School of Advanced Manufacturing students.
• A session on diversity, inclusion and innovation in manufacturing.
• CPTC student project demonstrations.

Raising awareness, changing perceptions

Manufacturing (MFG) Day, celebrated across the U.S. on the first Friday of October, is the industry’s annual opportunity to spotlight modern manufacturing and inspire the next generation of skilled workers. It is also designed to positively change perceptions of the industry among youth, educators, parents and the community.

As U.S. manufacturers seek to fill four million high-skill, high-tech and high-paying jobs over the next decade, MFG Day empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges and build excitement about manufacturing careers to help their communities and future generations thrive.

[Edited October 10, 2023: The City of Lakewood published an overview of the event, which you can find here.]

Ready to learn more? The CPTC Center for Advanced Manufacturing offers courses and programs in electrical systems, programmable logical controllers, mechanical systems, robotics and more. For more information, visit the CPTC website.