Educators and employers must collaborate in order to maintain the health of the advanced manufacturing industry and to ensure its future remains bright in the region.

There are a number of manufacturers right here in Chester County that, for a while, have been reaping the benefits of their collaboration with the next-generation workforce.

Is your company one of them? If not, it can be.

The Technical College High School (TCHS) Pickering Campus – located on Charlestown Road in Phoenixville – is debuting a new Engineering & Automated Manufacturing Technology program for high school students this school year. Additionally, it’s debuting a Precision CNC Machining program and expanding its Robotics program to Robotics & Avionics.

The school will host AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Premier), a manufacturing expo and all-day event, on Dec. 11.

Companies involved in any facet of the manufacturing industry are encouraged to consider exhibiting. The goal is to provide attendees with a broad view of all opportunities touching advanced manufacturing. Also, educational partners able to offer students and adults opportunities for academic and skill development specific to engineering and manufacturing are welcome.

The event has been planned as a way to get high school students, their parents, and adults excited about careers in advanced manufacturing. Students from the surrounding schools will attend during the day, with parents and adults attending the evening session (students also welcome).

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Some of the highlights include:

• workshops with industry leaders
• displays, booths, and demos
• internship and mentor opportunities
• CTE and industry networking
• college exploration
• giveaways

Some of the exhibitors already lined up for AMP are West Chester’s CTDI, Malvern’s IFM Prover, Exton’s ONExia, Lionville’s Omega Design Corporation, Exton’s Boy Machines, and Malvern’s Infiana USA.

More exhibitors are needed. As one, you can play an important role in shaping the minds and attitudes of all those who attend. It’s an opportunity for direct engagement between the field of advanced manufacturing and STEM education, and will enable you to inject enthusiasm in the future workforce.

Each session will feature:

• Exhibitor Tables: Exhibitors are asked to consider sharing a demonstration of their products and/or another hands-on activity to help further engage students and to better visualize what it is you do! With the input of each exhibitor, TCHS will develop a large career path poster for each table highlighting the entry level and growth options within your company.
• Breakout/Q&A Sessions: Presentation/conversation rooms will be set up whereby members of the industry can share with the various audiences why manufacturing should be a highly considered career path.
• STEM Activity: Students can get involved with a competitive STEM activity that will reinforce the benefits of today’s era of manufacturing.
• Food and Prizes

Click here for more information or to register your company for AMP.