Manufacturing Day showcases students' local career opportunities.

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Nov. 24—PLATTSBURGH — For the past four decades, ETS has helped people find jobs, businesses fill staffing needs and provided valuable advice to area businesses. Fulfilling the needs of the local manufacturing industry is satisfying for them.

“We’re a huge hub for manufacturing, and it’s growing,” said Amber Douglass, ETS’ vice president of strategic strategy.

“We at ETS alone now have over 200 jobs open in the manufacturing industry that I know of, and every single employer can say that. So we’re still growing and still looking for people.”

10th Anniversary Production Day

To help employers match much-needed workers, ETS recently organized the 10th annual Country Manufacturing Day at Clinton Community College. At the event, nearly 700 students from area schools had the opportunity to see about two dozen exhibits and interactive exhibits by local makers.

It was the first time that the event was open to not only ninth and tenth graders, but also juniors and seniors, so it was the largest crowd.

Douglass said the fair is the perfect way to bridge the gap between employers needing staff and people looking for work.

“This is because we want to give students the opportunity to explore the manufacturing industry in their own backyard,” he said.

“We want to give them the ability to see that you can have a great career here. You can go into the workforce right out of high school, go to college for two years, then go into manufacturing or go to a four-year school.”

Community gallery

The event allowed students to explore and interact with what was being created in the area, Douglass explained.

“Not only that, It’s great to see all the producers supporting each other,” she said.

“Manufacturers come out and they love it, and it’s a really good contribution to the community. They want the business to grow, and that’s one of the ways they want to tell us.”

Douglass said North Korea’s manufacturing sector is seeing some of the best economic activity they’ve ever seen, and that’s a great opportunity for young people to enter the workforce.

“You’re seeing the best benefits we’ve ever seen. They (students) can start making $20 an hour right out of high school. So that’s incredible,” she said.

Personnel requirements

region state As the country and the world recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected everyone for the past two years, meeting staffing needs is a huge challenge.

ETS continues to work to meet those needs.

“With everything that’s happened in the last year, it’s been very interesting. I think the overall consensus is that it’s still hard to find people,” Douglass said.

“We’ve definitely seen a shift that’s a little bit easier. We’re seeing more people coming back to work and maybe moving their careers for a new job.”

Douglass said they expect to see the trend of job additions continue. The fact that most manufacturing jobs pay well and offer attractive benefits should be a good drawcard.

“I think it’s definitely a challenge right now to have enough people to reach the goals that they’ve all set,” she said.

Hidden gems

The Manufacturing Day event ETS, along with the North Country Chamber of Commerce and other promotions, is instrumental in spreading the word of all the bright opportunities in the region.

“There are so many hidden gems that you don’t know about. You kind of have to learn it until you know it,” Douglass said.

“So that’s one reason why this event is so important.”

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @jlotemplio

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