After a record-setting 19,000 votes from the public, in addition to evaluations from a panel of judges, middle school students from Chester County and Delaware County were recognized for their creative videos about local manufacturing companies and exciting careers in manufacturing during the red carpet awards ceremony for the regional What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? student video contest.

Held April 10 at Penn State Great Valley in Malvern, the annual event and manufacturing expo showcase the first-hand knowledge students gain by participating in the program and producing videos that spark interest in manufacturing careers.

Over the past year, local students from nine middle schools teamed up with area manufacturers to create two-minute video profiles featuring what the manufacturers produce, how they make their products, and why working in a technology-driven environment can be rewarding. Videos were evaluated by judges, and the public cast more than19,000 votes for the Viewer’s Choice Award during three days of online voting in March.

Organized by CCEDC’s Manufacturing Alliance of Chester & Delaware Counties (MACC/DC), the event welcomed more than 250 people who celebrated the winning schools and videos:

• Outstanding Overall Video – Coatesville Intermediate High School’s profile of Bender Inc.
• Viewer’s Choice Award – Octorara Junior High School’s profile of Aerzen USA

The following schools and manufacturers were also recognized for excellence:

• Outstanding Editing – Great Valley Middle School’s profile of JGM
• Outstanding Creativity – Renaissance Academy Charter School’s profile of United Safety & Survivability Corporation
• Outstanding Videography – Delaware County Christian School’s profile of New Way Air Bearings
• Outstanding Outreach Plan – Penn’s Grove Middle School’s profile of Cleveland-Cliffs
• Outstanding Manufacturing Message – Phoenixville Middle School’s profile of ifm prover

Additional impressive student/manufacturer pairings included:

• Garnet Valley Middle School – ONExia Inc.
• Northley Middle School – Southco, Inc.

“What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? gives students the opportunity to learn about modern manufacturing occupations by interviewing the people doing these jobs, from executives to administrative personnel to technicians on the floor,” said Patti VanCleave, Vice President of Workforce Development and STEM at the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC).

“According to a PA Workforce Development Association December 2023 report, manufacturing jobs remain just below pre-pandemic employment levels. This program introduces kids to the problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills utilized in the manufacturing industry in addition to the technical skills and gets them excited about exploring future careers in this sector.”

Supporters included Platinum Sponsors CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services and Chester County Workforce Development Board, as well as Gold Sponsors Delaware County Community College, JGM Inc., and Meridian Bank.