YCDC coordinates industry tours, school visits, and podcast conversations to connect local talent with manufacturers
York County Development Corporation Press Release
YORK, Neb. — Manufacturing Month is an opportunity to celebrate the products made in York County and to introduce more people to the careers, businesses, and training pathways behind them. This October, York County Development Corporation (YCDC) is working with manufacturers, schools, and workforce partners to make those connections through facility tours, classroom visits, and two special episodes of the 17-County Podcast.
York County is home to roughly 40 manufacturers. Their work creates opportunities across production, skilled trades, technology, logistics, management, and other fields. For students and adults considering their next step, however, it can be difficult to picture those opportunities without meeting the people who do the work. YCDC’s Manufacturing Month activities are designed to make those careers more visible and give employers a chance to tell their own stories.
On Friday, October 2, YCDC will coordinate manufacturing tours at Klute INC, Pellet Technology USA, and Cyclonaire. Students will step inside local facilities, learn what each company makes, and hear about the skills and people needed to keep its operation running. The visits will also give students a chance to ask questions and see how different a modern manufacturing workplace can be from what they might have imagined.
The conversations will continue on Friday, October 16, when local manufacturers visit York High School, McCool Junction Public School, and Heartland Community Schools. By bringing industry professionals into schools, YCDC hopes to help students connect what they are learning now with possible careers close to home. Manufacturers will be able to share their own career paths and talk directly with students about opportunities in the industry.
Two special episodes of the 17-County Podcast will explore pathways into manufacturing. On October 15, Delta Wilson of the Nebraska Department of Labor will discuss registered apprenticeships. On October 30, Tiffany Rasmussen of Southeast Community College and program graduates Kimberly Francis and Tina Braca will discuss the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance Credential and their experiences with the program.
In the October 30 episode, Tiffany Rasmussen of Southeast Community College will take a closer look at the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance Credential. Program graduates Kimberly Francis and Tina Braca will share what they learned and how the experience shaped their thinking about future opportunities. Together, the episodes will show how students, adults considering a career change, and employers can take part in building Nebraska’s manufacturing workforce.
“Our manufacturers make a real difference here. They provide careers, support other local businesses, and invest in their communities. A lot of our students pass these businesses every day without knowing what happens inside or how many different careers are there. This month, students will get to visit local manufacturers, and manufacturers will come into their schools. Both give young people a chance to ask questions, meet the people doing the work, and see opportunities they might not have pictured for themselves right here in York County,” said Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of YCDC.
These October activities build on YCDC’s year-round work with York County manufacturers. YCDC meets with existing businesses to understand their hiring and growth needs, connects employers with schools and training resources, and works with partners to prepare for future industrial investment. That includes work with the City of York and other partners on the Northwest York Industrial Park.
Manufacturing Month is recognized across Nebraska as a chance to introduce students and communities to the industry. In York County, YCDC is using that opportunity to help people meet local employers, ask questions, and discover paths they may not have considered before.
YORK COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION is an active partner in helping York County, NE become widely recognized as the first choice for businesses and families in the region. Working with community and business partners, YCDC is a catalyst for economic and community vitality in the region through promotion of available sites, development of workforce development resources, and marketing initiatives designed to highlight the benefits of living and working in the county. Learn more about YCDC at YorkDevCo.com or visit the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, or Instagram.
