Manufacturing Student & Parent Night
On Thursday, November 6th, students and their parents from the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) explored careers in manufacturing during an evening of on-site tours hosted by local companies across Boulder County.
The event was supported by the Boulder Area Manufacturing Sector Partnership, a coalition of manufacturers convened by the Boulder Chamber. One of the partnership’s main priorities includes engaging students with career pathways and preparing the next generation of manufacturing talent.
An Inside Look at Boulder Manufacturers
Eight local companies hosted tours that gave attendees a first-hand look at modern manufacturing practices:
- Blue Canyon Technologies
- Cutting Edge Steel
- Excelitas
- Hirsh Precision
- McKesson
- Medtronic
- Specialty Products
- Xerox
By participating, students and parents gained insight into modern manufacturing practices as well as the skills and education needed to succeed in these fields. Moreover, the tours offered a glimpse into the broad spectrum of opportunities within Boulder’s manufacturing industry. Participating companies showcased Boulder’s diverse manufacturing ecosystem, spanning sectors such as aerospace, steel fabrication, medical devices, pharmacy dispensing, laser printing, and automotive tooling.
“The tours help students see real-world applications in an industry setting utilizing skills they learn in the classroom,” said Tiffany Freeman, Internship Coordinator with SVVSD. “These tours bring additional value to what they are learning and expose them to potential career opportunities as they make decisions about their future.”
Partnering for Student Success
Liaisons from SVVSD, the Boulder Chamber, CareerWise, and Manufacturer’s Edge assisted in supporting the event. Altogether, these collaborations underscore the value of bridging classroom experiences with tangible career pathways.
Matt Wiggins, AVP of Economic Vitality at the Boulder Chamber, highlighted the level of impact: “We had roughly 80 individuals registered across 8 locations. It was clear that students and parents appreciated the chance to see how manufacturing works up close.”
Reflecting on the outcome of hosting these annual tours over the last three years, Freeman also noted, “I’ve seen students get inspired learning about all the manufacturers in our community. Also, we have been able to educate both students and parents about the career opportunities that are available with thriving companies and demonstrate how manufacturing has changed over the years into sustainable, rewarding careers.”
