By External Relations
Keynote speakers are Dan Stoelb of Futaba of Indiana America and Lori Gillett of Wabash Steel
Southwest Indiana ‘Dream It! Do It!” Campaign Launches the Regional Kick-Off Events Entitled “SEE Indiana Manufacturing”
Learn how companies can attract the kind of workforce needed to stay competitive in the Indiana manufacturing job market at this event on November 19th at 6:00 pm.
Dan Stoelb, plant manager of Futaba of Indiana America, will speak on the topic, "What Will It Take to Make Manufacturing the Job of Choice?" and Lori Gillett, president of Wabash Steel, will also serve as a keynote industry speaker.
Gary Gentry, president of the Knox County Development Corporation will give the economic development perspective and Art Haase, dean of technology at Vincennes University, will give the educational perspective.
Dinner will be provided at the event from 6:00 - 8:00 pm (EST). RSVP by registering online at SINE’s website, www.sineonline.com or contact Kim Breitweiser, Project Director of Dream It! Do It! at 812.746.9385 or kbreitweiser@sineonline.com.
Information about resources within the region, student scholarships, and funds available for teachers to utilize in their classrooms will be distributed.
As a joint effort of the Southwest Indiana Network for Education (SINE), Conexus Indiana, and the Grow Southwest Indiana Regional Workforce, the “SEE Indiana Manufacturing” regional events will serve to begin the new workforce development initiative. SEE is an acronym for Support, Educate, & Elevate, which are the three main goals of the project.
The “Dream It! Do It!” initiative is not only targeting young people entering the workforce, but businesses as well. By reaching out to regional manufacturers through surveys, site visits, and the formation of a steering committee, Dream It! Do It! can identify the workforce skills needed by modern industry in our area, and plans to help bridge the gap of communication between manufacturers, educators, and potential employees.
“Dream It Do It”. is a nationally recognized campaign created by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute. The goals are simple and straightforward: to change the negative perception of manufacturing careers, educate young people about all of the various types of careers available in the manufacturing sector, and help people find the resources that are available to obtain those careers. Conexus Indiana is taking the lead in creating materials centered on this campaign, including a regional website that will be at the heart of the initiative, set to launch in early 2009. According to Kim Breitweiser, Project Director for Southwest Indiana “Dream It Do It”, “Manufacturing is a key component to our local and national economy. By focusing on the businesses located within our region, and finding out what we need to be doing now to prepare the workforce of the future, we will help insure that southwest Indiana is a constant contributor to the national economy. In turn, this will serve to improve the standard of living and quality of life for residents in the local community, and that is what is truly important to myself and those people involved in this initiative.”
To begin creating public awareness, three regional kick-off events have been planned during the month of November called “SEE Indiana Manufacturing”. Educators, students, community leaders, and businesses are invited to attend. “Our goal during the course of this initiative,” says Breitweiser, “is to not only make students aware of manufacturing as a career choice, but to also engage the general public and show them the various ways in which they can support one of the long-term foundations of our local economy.”
For more information, please contact Kim Breitweiser, Project Director of Dream It! Do It! at 812.746.9385 or kbreitweiser@sineonline.com.
