Manufacturing Virtual Tours for Students

NWIRC was awarded grant funding to develop video manufacturing tours throughout our region. These ‘virtual’ tours of manufacturing companies in northwest PA will be professionally produced and introduce students, educators and parents to manufacturers and career opportunities in their local area. The project is targeted to specific rural regions, including Warren, Venango, Clarion, and Crawford counties and we’re currently scouting companies who would be a good fit to participate.

NWIRC’s Project Manufacturing Talent Stream was created in 2023 offering student experiences that explore career opportunities in manufacturing through hands-on learning, industry tours, and career conversations. There was significant activity and success during the first year, but one of the challenges observed is that schools often lack resources for transportation or time for students to take actual field trips to visit manufacturing companies. The virtual walk through at a facility will include ‘stops’ at different departments to highlight careers and skill requirements— with a focus on high demand and entry level occupations. A QR Code will be created for each video to include on a student handout that also contains information on the company and types of careers.

Manufacturers will be chosen to participate based on several factors including targeted geographic areas, willingness to make the time commitment required for filming, and ability to send a volunteer staff member to classrooms for sharing the company’s story and virtual tour.

The funding is part of the Business Education Partnership (BEP) grant from the PA Department of Labor & Industry that was awarded to NWPA Job Connect, the local workforce board for Northwest PA. This video manufacturing tour project is supported by the PA Department of Labor and Industry of the U.S. Department of Labor, as part of a $52,303.28 award with 0% financed from non-governmental sources. For more information, reach out to tlawrence@nwirc.org.