Wallace State Community College students gain valuable insight, networking opportunities during inaugural Manufacturing Day
View pictures from MFG Day | https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallacestate/albums/72157719932945498
View a stream of the event | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iI5jY4D-PU
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College’s Center for Career and Workforce
Development recently hosted an inaugural Manufacturing Day Industry Panel and Networking
Event, providing students with the opportunity to gain insight from skilled technicians
and manufacturing professionals.
A pair of panelists forums was among the highlights. One panelist was made up of skilled
technicians and the second of manufacturing professionals.
A sampling of topics addressed during the forums included the immediate need for skilled
workers; the change in industry over the years; employee expectations; effective work
habits; safety at the workplace; the importance of earning a degree or certificate;
and the need to develop leaders.
Alan Ballenger, Manufacturing Operations Manager at Dynetics, Inc., in Huntsville,
expressed the willingness of his company to hire students from Wallace State’s programs
and the importance of cultivating them to become long-term employees with the company.
Ballenger is a Wallace State graduate himself.
Ryan Lamar, a Welding Maintenance Assistant Manager with YKTA in Madison, encouraged
the students in attendance to be ambitious, take pride in the job, remain humble and
take ownership.
Scott Rainwater, a General Plumber/HVAC/Pipefitter Foreman at AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe
Company, emphasized how pivotal the current demand is for quality, skilled workers.
“There are fewer and fewer people pursuing a skilled trade, and there are so many
opportunities available. If you have the ambition and desire to pursue a skilled trade,
these companies are going to seek you out. You won’t be without a payday. Someone
is going to be there to pick you up,” Rainwater said.
John Higginbotham, Operations Manager at Fontaine Trailer Company, was among those
to discuss the importance of employee punctuality and dependability.
“We want an employee who shows up on time with a good work ethic and takes pride in
their work. A strong work ethic goes a long way,” Higginbotham said.
Added Steve Colburn, Workforce Development Administrator for Mercedes-Benz International:
“I consider soft skills to be hard success skills. They’re not soft. It takes teamwork,
interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, being dependable and having integrity.
We want employees who take pride and passion in what they’re doing at our facility.”
Audrey Webb, Project Director of ALAMAP for the Alabama Community College System,
was the forum moderator.
Students in attendance also had the opportunity to network with employers at the event.
Employers at the event were Abaco Systems, American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO),
AMETEK, Athens State University, Bocar US, Inc., Commercial Metals Company (CMC Steel),
Dynetics, Inc., Fontaine Trailer, GE Appliances, HomTex, Inc., LP Building Solutions,
Mercedes-Benz, Sonoco Reels & Plugs, Orchid Orthopedic Solutions, and YKTA.
For more information about Wallace State’s Career and Workforce Development program,
contact 256.352.8386.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu
###id="attachment_18353" align="alignnone" width="300"
Wallace State student Hunter Graham, right, discuss career opportunities with Brittney
N. Scott from Dynetics, Inc. id="attachment_18354" align="alignnone" width="300"
Alan Ballenger of Dynetics, Inc., addresses Wallace State students during the MFG
Day event. Ballenger is a Wallace State graduate. id="attachment_18355" align="alignnone" width="300"
James Laurentius, left, and Jan Young, both of Orchid Orthopedic Solutions offer insight
about their company to Wallace State students during MFG Day. id="attachment_18356" align="alignnone" width="300"
Stacey Stephens, of Abaco Systems, was among the panelists on the during the manufacturing
professionals forum. Stephens is a Wallace State graduate. id="attachment_18357" align="alignnone" width="300"
Students network with Scott Rainwater of AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company.______________________________
Russell Moore
Wallace State Community College
Creative and Content Services Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Speech Adjunct Instructor
256.352.8443 | office
256.339.2422 | mobile
russell.moore@wallacestate.edu
Click here to submit a Marketing request.
______________________________
Kristen Holmes
Assistant to the President for External and Cultural Affairs
Communications | Marketing | Museum | International | Government Affairs
256.352.8118 | office
256.339.2519 | mobile
kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
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