Summer manufacturing camps introduce kids to manufacturing careers

1. The Impact of Manufacturing Camps on the Kids Who Participate Based on 2010 participant surveys

2. There’s Nothing Like the Confidence of Youth… Remember back to when you were about 13 or 14, and you were confident you knew how to do EVERYTHING… well at least until someone called you on it…. The first four survey questions are designed to check on this youthful confidence.

3. Design Skills I am confident in my ability to design a product using a computer: pre-camp - 55% agree, 34% neutral, 12% disagree post-camp -- 70% agree, 15% neutral, 15% disagree Surprise! Tougher than they thought

4. Manufacturing Skills I am confident in my ability to construct a product start-to-finish using manufacturing equipment: Pre-camp - 73% agree, 23% neutral, 8% disagree Post- camp – 88% agree, 10% neutral, 2% disagree

5. Understanding Entrepreneurship I understand the challenges of taking a product from an idea to a business. Pre-camp – 69% agree, 24% neutral, 7% disagree Post-camp – 86% agree, 11% neutral, 4% disagree

6. Manufacturing Career Info The next group of questions are designed to assess how much the students know about: manufacturing in general, types of careers available locally and the kind of training needed for a manufacturing career, as well as their potential interest in pursuing such a career.

7. Available Jobs I know the types of manufacturing jobs available in my local community Pre-camp – 32% agree, 42% neutral, 25% disagree Post-camp – 78% agree, 19% neutral, 3% disagree Huge gains made here in understanding mfg. job potential in their community

8. Training Needed I understand the training needed for a future manufacturing career Pre-camp – 60% agree, 27% neutral, 13% disagree Post-camp – 86% agree, 10% neutral, 4% disagree Huge gains made here in understanding academic training needed for mfg jobs

9. Earning Power I believe manufacturing offers high paying jobs. Pre-camp – 77% agree, 19% neutral, 4% disagree Post-camp -- 87% agree, 10% neutral, 3% disagree

10. The Career for Me? I would consider pursuing a career in manufacturing Pre-camp -- 58% agree, 34% neutral, 8% disagree Post-camp -- 76% agree, 19% neutral, 5% disagree Almost a 20% improvement in the interest in manufacturing as a career.

11. Camp Experience (post-camp survey) 85% were satisfied – very satisfied with their camp experience 88% would recommend this camp to a friend 78% would take a more advanced camp if oen were offered

12. My Favorite Things My favorite part of camp was: Operating equipment/machinery Welding CAD Design Instructors Touring local manufacturers Making so many new friends Special projects Entrepreneurship activities

13. In their own words… “I learned a lot and had lots of fun. I was surprised to find how many different jobs there are in the manufacturing industry and how much of an impact manufacturing businesses have on our community. Learning to weld and use tools like the horizontal band saw, drill press, and belt sander was fun and educational. Our instructors, Mike and Steve, were upbeat and helped us every step of the way. I loved touring Pierce, because it gave me a look at what I could do in the future. I hope I get a chance to do it again next summer. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.” Alex, age 12

14. In their own words “My experience was very helpful in learning how manufacturing and engineering are very important and helpful things. This has made me consider a job as a manufacturer.” “It was great that you guys would help us in our most and highest interests inmanufacturing. Also that we got sponsors from local companies and Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs.” “I really like welding. We canmake anything at all.”

15. Faces of 2010