Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2015 | Page 7

Manufacturing careers offer solid choice for graduates

A handful of Union County Public Schools
guidance counselors and career development
coordinators (CDC) toured local manufacturers in
an attempt to be better informed and better able to
advise students about manufacturing jobs in Union
County.
The tours served as a kickoff to Manufacturing
Awareness Week, which began Sept. 28. There were
open house events at various local manufacturers
on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, and a Manufacturing
Awareness Showcase at South Piedmont Community
College on Oct. 1.
Students also had the opportunity to win
$2,500 that will be used toward STEM technology
equipment. Students won points for various levels of
participation during the week. The winner was based
on who has the most points of participation.
Robert Filter, UCPS director of Career and
Technical Education (CTE), said about 25 UCPS CDCs
and counselors attended the kick-off tours, which
were held at two manufacturing companies in Union
County: Greiner Bio-One and Vanguard Pai Lung.
Greiner Bio-One offers job opportunities in the
fields of biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices
and in vitro diagnostics. Vanguard Pai Lung has
manufactured circular knitting machines for nearly
100 years.
During the tour at Vanguard Pai Lung, Vice
President of Operations Patrick Moody said his
company looks for graduates with problem-solving
skills, good communication skills, and the ability to
Union County Public Schools guidance counselors and career development
coordinators (CDC) tour Vanguard Pai Lung.
work well with coworkers.
Filter said the tours not only gave educators
information about what manufacturers are looking for in
prospective employees, but it also helped them have a better
understanding of manufacturing in Union County. “Then they can
present those opportunities that are available to students.”
Allen Plyler, CTE Industry Coordinator with UCPS, said
the counselors and CDCs will also be able to discuss how
manufacturing has changed over the past 15 or 20 years.
“These are technology-driven jobs,” Plyler said. “They need
to have technology skills to run the machines. I think it’s good
for educators to see this so they can pass it on to parents and
students.”
Valerie Simmeth, a CDC from Cuthbertson High School, said
the event helped educators get excited about the upcom [