ALBANY, OR – Over 200 students from 17 local high schools got a hands-on introduction to manufacturing careers on February 28, 2025, at Linn-Benton Community College’s Manufacturing Career Fair. The event hosted by LBCC’s Career Systems Navigator, Deron Fort, and a dynamic team, introduced students to a variety of career pathways and educational programs closely related to the local manufacturing industry.
The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub supported the college’s effort by facilitating two hands-on learning sessions in the Hub’s makerspace, The Maker Innovation Learning Lab, better known as The MILL. Participants who visited The MILL explored career pathways in mass production, rapid prototyping, and engineering.
Participants engaged in interactive creative activities, including screen printing and button making, to experience the production process firsthand. Each student designed and screen-printed their own tote bag and created a custom 2” button to take home. The event also showcased rapid prototyping careers, giving students the chance to use 3D printing pens and Bambu Lab 3D printers.
Among the highlights of the day was drawing attention to the importance of diversity in manufacturing and emphasizing career opportunities at any level, from entry-level to degree. Speakers discussed how students can leverage their skills, education, and personal strengths to build fulfilling careers in manufacturing and related fields like engineering.
The career fair provided students with valuable insight into the industry’s growing demand for skilled professionals, inspiring the next generation to explore opportunities in manufacturing.
