The Ulster BOCES Hudson Valley Pathways Academy (P-Tech) and the Career & Technical Education Center were among several schools from across the region to participate in National Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 7.

Students from the P-Tech program got an inside look at the diverse educational opportunities in the engineering department at SUNY New Paltz. They also got to listen to instructors and guest panelists from local manufacturing companies discuss different pathways to enter a career in manufacturing. Another group of students toured Ametek Rotron, a company in Woodstock that makes thermal management equipment for commercial and military aircraft, communications, naval ships, vehicles, and other applications where operation is critical. There, they saw demonstrations of a vertically integrated manufacturing facility that produces state-of-the-art cooling equipment.

This program was created to provide early exposure to and awareness of careers in manufacturing. Some students have the perception that manufacturing jobs are unsafe, demand long hours, or that the work is menial, according to local Manufacturing Day organizer and Executive Vice President of the Council of Industry, Harold King. "We want to show the next generation of workers what modern day manufacturing looks like," King said.

Ametek Rotron's Aerospace & Defense Model shop supervisor Jeff Myers says Ametek participates in Manufacturing Day because, "It allows us to demonstrate opportunities within the manufacturing sector, and to showcase local jobs that support best-in-class products."

The annual event, now in it's fourth year, is celebrated on the first Friday in October.

To learn more about Manufacturing Day, visit www.mfgday.com.