Kellogg Community College in October will celebrate Manufacturing Month with a series of community events and initiatives to increase awareness of the industry and the College’s various Industrial Trades training opportunities.
KCC is home to several manufacturing-related programs – including more than a dozen Industrial Trades degrees and certificates – and is marking the month with a full schedule of activities for all ages, from elementary school students to adults.
Nathan Venske, executive director of Industrial Trades Education and Workforce Solutions at KCC, said manufacturing is important because it plays a crucial role in economic development and job creation.
“Manufacturing contributes to innovation and technological advances while providing strength and stability to our economy,” Venske said. “Industrial Trades programs like the ones offered at KCC provide all people an opportunity to gain skills that will provide direct immediate value to themselves, the community and their employer. Students skilled in a trade are key to driving sustainability in their communities.”
KCC Manufacturing Month activities and initiatives include the following.
“Blaze Goes to the RMTC” Reading Events
KCC staff and College mascot Blaze will make the rounds to several area elementary schools for “Blaze Goes to the RMTC” children’s book readings all month long.
Manufacturing Day at the RMTC for High School Students
Area high school students will tour the College’s Regional Manufacturing Technology Center Industrial Trades campus and interact with area employers from the manufacturing industry on two days in October, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, and Thursday, Oct. 12.
Manufacturing Day at the RMTC (open to the public)
KCC’s Industrial Trades Department is offering tours of the RMTC training labs starting at 9:45 and 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11. Additionally, representatives from various manufacturing industry employers and organizations will be onsite to speak with individuals and answer questions. The event is free and open to the general public at the RMTC, which is located at 405 Hill Brady Road in Battle Creek.
STEM Saturday: Manufacturing/Trades
KCC’s Lifelong Learning STEM Saturday events partnership with INNOVATE Albion continues from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 21, at the College’s Eastern Academic Center campus in Albion. Each STEM Saturday event features hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and demonstrations appropriate for all ages. The theme for August is “Manufacturing/Trades.”
Bruin Boo: Building Stories
KCC’s sixth annual Bruin Book Halloween/trick-or-treating event for kids and their families will run this year from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, with a joint manufacturing/storybook theme of “Building Stories.”
Industrial Trades Training at KCC
KCC offers Industrial Trades programming at locations across the College’s service district in Albion, Battle Creek, Coldwater and Hastings.
Industrial Trades programs offered at KCC include:
- Industrial Electricity and Electronics
- Industrial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR)
- Industrial Machining Technology
- Industrial Pipefitting
- Industrial Technology
- Industrial Welding
- Maintenance Technician
- Renewable Energy
“There may never be a better time to enter into a trade or into the manufacturing sector,” Venske said. “Abundant opportunities currently exist in most trade areas and at various skill set and experience levels.
“Individuals looking to become a student at KCC focusing on Industrial Trades have the ability to position themselves well to earn a great family-sustaining wage to build a well-balanced life.”
For more information about Industrial Trades training at KCC, visit kellogg.edu/industrial. For a full list of College events and activities that are open to the public, see our events calendar online at kellogg.edu/events.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.