The Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties, Launches the Third Year of “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?”
Chester, PA (PRWEB) October 10, 2017 -- The Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties (MACC/DC) in collaboration with the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) and Delaware County Community College, is proud to announce the third year of “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” (WSCM).
This year’s program will be presented on the new “What’s So Cool” website http://www.WhatsSoCool.org. The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Student Video Contest gives 8th graders from over 14 school districts in Chester and Delaware counties the opportunity to connect directly with local manufacturers, document their experiences and present them in an educational and “cool” way through film media. The contest was created to generate excitement that draws students to consider manufacturing career paths. This year, there are 14 middle school teams partnered with 14 area-manufacturing companies. This expansion reflects the tremendous efforts MACC/DC and its partners have put forth in the community.
The Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties, in collaboration with the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) and Delaware County Community College, works toward shifting the outdated image of the manufacturing world as dull and dirty, to fun and exciting. One way they are tackling this issue is by hosting the annual What’s So Cool about Manufacturing? (WSCM) video contest.
“This Commonwealth-wide contest is an excellent way to generate awareness of what an advanced manufacturing career may look like to our younger tech-savvy generation and will help dispel the outdated image of the industry,” said Gary W. Smith, President and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council. “It's a great introduction for the community to the lean and clean work environments consistent in the high-tech field of today's manufacturing.”
Armed with a GoPro camera, teacher coach, specific guidelines, curiosity and creativity, each team will tour its respective manufacturer’s location and interview employees to gain a primary understanding of that field. The teams will then take their footage and translate what they find to be cool about that manufacturing company or industry into a short video. Training videos that were created last year for educators are Emmy award winning.
“The WSCM video contest is a key event that is as important for the manufacturers as it is for students and their parents,” said Ralf Weiser, Manager of Project Management at Aerzen USA. “Many misperceptions exist about today’s manufacturing careers. Manufacturing has come back and is poised for even more sustainable growth. We are all missing out on attracting suitable high school and even college candidates because many misperceptions exist about the manufacturing workplaces. The average manufacturing career takes place in clean, well lit, and engaging workplaces. Pay and career growth with apprenticeship and even post-secondary education programs are additional above average benefits in this industry.”
Weiser also noted “the video contest helps highlight these facts and also provides exposure to real life examples of how this can work for the student. Manufacturers benefit from this event two-fold: It boosts employee morale working with young students while highlighting their own careers. Also, they just may bump into future team members during the making of the videos. The WSCM contest is mutually rewarding culminating in the awards ceremony that helps engage the surrounding communities – we have got it made in Chester and Delaware Counties.”
The students’ video submissions will be posted on the new “What’s So Cool” website http://www.WhatsSoCool.org. The videos will be open to the public for voting February 14 through 16, 2018 for the Viewer’s Choice Award, and judges will determine best videos in a variety of other categories. In March 2018, students, parents, educators, manufacturing leaders, community sponsors, local legislators and project partners will gather for an award ceremony to announce and acknowledge winning teams. Last year, over 27,000 votes were cast during the three-day period. Last year’s video submissions are available for viewing on the “What’s So Cool" website.
Visit http://www.WhatsSoCool.org for more information and resources.
About The Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties (MACC/DC) is an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council in collaboration with DCCC and the CCWDB, led by manufacturers and supported by public partners and service providers. Working collaboratively to promote manufacturing in the region and to advance the technical skills of the workforce, MACC/DC’s goal is to provide growth opportunities and increase profitability for local manufacturers. For more information, visit https://www.maccdcpa.org
About The Chester County Economic Development Council is a private, non-profit economic development organization promoting smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for more than 50 years. The CCEDC provides proven financing solutions, cultivates workforce talent, leverages business partnerships, and fosters entrepreneurial collaboration. With the support of the private and public sectors, CCEDC initiates, implements and innovates programs that improve the business community and enhance the quality of life in Chester County. For more information, visit https://ccedcpa.com/
Kim Plyler, Sahl Communications, Inc., http://www.sahlcomm.com, +1 484-554-5582, [email protected]
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