By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Once again this year, students from R.A. Jones Middle School in Florence got an opportunity to see what a career in advanced manufacturing has to offer, at the Mubea North America facility on Dixie Highway in Boone County.
Mubea North America Training Manager Drew Farris explains the opportunities available in the field of advanced manufacturing to students from R. A. Jones Middle School in Florence. (photos by Mark Hansel).
In conjunction with Manufacturing Day, Mubea officials and participants in its world-renowned apprenticeship program, gave students a tour of the facility and allowed them to participate in some team-building exercises.
Drew Farris, training manager at Mubea, said the company has worked with Jones Middle School for several years and his team has developed a rapport with the students.
“We do things like a video contest and other events,” Farris said. “They are just a great bunch of kids. We just hope we give them a taste of manufacturing and they make that part of the thought process.”
Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Across the country, more than 3,000 Manufacturing Day events took place this year.
At Mubea, 30 eighth graders from Jones Middle School were in attendance this year and teacher Todd Hanley said the exposure to potential career opportunities is important as they prepare for high school.
The student watched videos about Mubea heard presentations from Farris and Luigi Tiddia, the general manager of Mubea’s Hose Clamp Division, who also oversees the company’s apprenticeship program here.
They also participated in a team-building exercise that involved following a program to build and maneuver a lego vehicle through an obstacle course.
“We are trying to help them see what’s around them.” Hanley said. “They all live in the city of Florence, so we are trying to show them what’s in their neighborhood. Possible career paths, things that they may not have thought about.”
Students from R. A. Jones Middle School in Florence get instructions from Mubea apprentice Adam Janowski in preparation for a team-building exercise. The program was part of the Manufacturing Day event that Mubea conducts for the students in cooperation with the Florence middle school (click photos to enlarge).
While the eight grade may seem a little young to make career plans, Hanley said it’s never too early to find out where student interests lie.
“They are already starting to make decisions that can impact the rest of their lives,” Hanley said. “Now that we have the vocational schools and the Ignite Center, it’s important that the kids know about all of these options that could lead to a real-world job that is a good job, one that pays well. If they choose this career, they will be able to take care of themselves and support their families.”
It’s also important to let students know that advanced manufacturing is not just a man’s job and that no career path should be limited because of gender.
“I think it’s really cool because I’ve been interested in manufacturing for a while,” said Devin Readnour, 13. “Being on this field trip really helps me see what type of stuff they do and what types of stuff I should be studying in high school and what courses I should be taking.”
On the field trip, the students also learned that Samantha North, a Mubea apprentice and former R.A. Jones Jet, has already conducted training sessions in Mexico.
“I like to prove guys wrong so it seems really cool for girls to be involved in this, Readnour said. “It really inspire me and knowing that (North) is a former Jet encourages me even more.”
Hanley said students are beginning to hear about the trip to Mubea from peers, which is the best way to generate interest.
“They love the trip, a lot fo them wanted to come back and at the beginning of this year, many of them asked when they were going back to Mubea,” Hanley said.” It gets down to the younger kids that we do these trips and that they are fun and engaging. They want to be a part of it, too.”
Josie Hollingsworth, 13, said the field trip was eye-opening for her.
Jones Middle School student Josie Hollingsworth takes measurements in prepration for her team’s Lego vehicle to run the obstacle course during a team-building exercise at Mubea North America’s Manufacturing Day event in Boone County.
“I liked the video where they showed us what they do at Mubea,” Hollingsworth said. “I thought I was going to come in and we were going to learn about the robots doing everyday stuff. Seeing them doing the manufacturing jobs that people used to do, that was pretty cool and now, it’s something that I might consider doing.”
German-based Mubea manufactures automotive components, such as springs, hose clamps and stabilizer bars. It started operating in Kentucky in 1982. Because it is a German-based company, with offices all over the world, employees have the opportunity to travel extensively and pursue a wide range of career opportunities.
Farris said it is important for the young visitors to get the whole Mubea experience. The videos and the personal stories shared by apprentices and employees, he said, help explain the company culture.
“Something we want to touch base on is that in your adult life, you will see your coworkers almost as much, if not more than your family,” Farris said. “We want to keep their minds open for all opportunities and understand that when you go to work everyday, you’ve got to love what you do and it helps to enjoy the people you do it with.”
Students who complete the Mubea apprenticeship program, or courses that lead to a career in advanced manufacturing, can make more than $50,000 a year right away, often with no college debt.
Mubea has invested more than $160 million in Northern Kentucky. The company employs 10,500 people worldwide, including 1,400 in the region.
For more information on the apprenticeship program, or other career opportunities with Mubea, click here.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
