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Ready for
2024
July 8-29, 2024
We help students experience the trades.
You have choices when it comes to careers. How do you know which one is right for you?
We think you should experience manufacturing careers first-hand. The Institute helps you learn about the industry and skills you need to succeed.
What We Do
Summer Career Exploration
We provide a hands-on, immersive experience to learn what working in a real production environment is like. Participants are part of a team that designs, makes, and sells products to real customers. Students learn how a company operates, what it takes to succeed in a career, the value of teamwork and leadership, and much more!
Learn by Doing
The Institute teaches by doing. As teams work together, they also visit other manufacturers to see what they do and careers in those companies. We take them to the community college to explore programs, try out welding and machining, and learn new skills. Participants get to know working professionals and gain insights about what employers require, regardless of their career path.
The Program
The Institute is a 3-week program where participants experience the Production and Manufacturing environment.
Students are part of a production team assigned to design, manufacture, promote, and sell a complete product line.
We teach about business, teams, leadership, product design, production demand, operations, management, and more.
It simulates the full experience of what it's like to work in manufacturing
Students gain a great experience, high school credit (.5), and earn valuable rewards. Of course, we also have
t-shirts, freebies, food, fun, and friends.
What is the Institute?
Look At Our New Guide!
Check out our new booklet - "Experience Manufacturing." It outlines the Institute, its background, the program's impact, and how we plan to grow. This 28-page guide shares more details about where we've been and where we're going to help better prepare high school graduates for their future.
Outcomes
What do we do at the Institute? It's a shorter answer if we list what we don't do when it comes to Manufacturing. Here are just a few of the things we explore through the program...
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Product Design
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Prototyping & Modeling
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Team-Based Approach
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Intro to Manufacturing Processes
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Production Planning & Demand
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Marketing & Sales
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Intro to Welding
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Machining Basics
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Elements of Production Operations
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Quality Control
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Team Leadership
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Applied Materials Planning
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Hands-On Equipment, Tools, Machines
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Full Production Environment
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Field Trips to Local Manufacturers
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Access to Special Scholarship to Valley Chamber Foundation to Eligible Participants
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Sponsors make a difference and allow us to keep the program going.
Thanks to our Gold Sponsors
Meet Bryce
Bryce was part of our first Institute. He recently graduated from SCC's welding program and was just hired. The Institute created his interest in welding and started him off in a new career! Watch Bryce share his story by clicking on the video.
Greater Together
Check out our promo video in collaboration with Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI). This is a quick overview of what we do.
WHY
MANUFACTURING?
Manufacturing is a crucial sector of the economy, and careers in manufacturing can be highly valuable. Here are some reasons to consider a future in manufacturing:
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Job stability: Manufacturing is a stable sector with a steady demand for goods and services, which can lead to a stable job market for workers. As long as people continue to consume goods, manufacturing jobs will always be in demand.
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Good wages and benefits: Manufacturing jobs often come with good pay, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The industry also provides career advancement and on-the-job training.
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Diverse job opportunities: Manufacturing offers many job opportunities, from engineers and technicians to assemblers and machine operators. There are also opportunities for people with different levels of education and skill sets.
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Contributing to the economy: Manufacturing contributes by creating products people need and providing jobs that support families and communities.
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Innovative industry: Manufacturing is constantly evolving, with new technologies and processes being developed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality. This makes it an exciting and innovative field to work in.
Manufacturing Matters!
Consider a career where you can make a difference. The Production and Manufacturing Institute gives you an opportunity to explore the industry.
Join the Movement
Want to be a part of this movement to get kids interested in the trades?
We know youth rise to our expectations and the support we give. Join us in giving them opportunities to succeed.
Contact us today!
Production & Manufacturing Institute
Career Explore ● Prepare ● Launch
Manufacturing Pathways
Production ● Engineering ● Trades ● Construction
THANKS TO OUR GRANT SPONSORS!
The 2024 Institute is partially funded by Career Connect Washington's Program Builder program grant. This allows us to work "behind the scenes" to expand the program to more locations, schools, and students. We aim to create a "franchise model" that can be used anywhere in any industry. We have been making different adjustments to our already successful program to expand it and make it even better.
Special thanks to our East Valley School District partners, who help us manage the grant and try out new approaches. We have used EVSD as the program's "headquarters" each year. Their willingness to innovate has created the foundational approach to our success.
Stevens Amendment Funding Disclosure Requirement
The Production & Manufacturing Institute receives support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor and Career Connect Washington Program Builder (Round 10) grants. Approximately $124,500 is financed by federal allocations during 2023-24 program years, with additional program, materials, and overhead funding received from private contributions. Read more about USDOL grant funding at esd.wa.gov/usdol.
The Career Connect Washington Program Builder Grant is funded through a USDOL Grant. To learn more about funding, follow this QR code.