Students participate in the GenNext Maker manufacturing camp Monday morning at the Bradfield Community Center.
LIMA — For the next generation, the possibilities of future careers close to home are promising. That is the message that Lima’s city officials is trying to send through a new program that started Monday.
The city of Lima is hosting the GenNext manufacturing camp Monday through Thursday. Students participating in the program get to experience various fields of work to see what may spark their interest.
According to Small Business and Workforce Development Coordinator Amber Martin, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, partnered with the city to help with the free camp.
“Ohioans are proud of our state’s long manufacturing history. To keep up that tradition, we must get a new generation interested in our changing manufacturing sector. That’s what these camps are all about,” Brown said in a recent press release. “The camps will help students across our state learn about manufacturing jobs right here in Ohio and the proud history of opportunities our manufacturing sector has created for their parents and grandparents.”
Martin also said that Bradfield Community Center, Lima City Schools, Rhodes State College, Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Graduate Medical Education Center and Procter and Gamble partnered with the city to showcase potential careers to the students.
“Our focus is having youth experienced jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Martin. “We will visit different industries. We plan to go St. Rita’s, Cenovus, Allen Soil and Water and Rhodes State College. In the mornings we’re going to hear from different individuals.”
The students will spend time touring work facilities. In the afternoons, organizations like the Lima Fire Department will show students how they help people within the community.
“This is our pilot year,” Martin said. “Sherrod Brown’s office did reach out to the city to see if we would be willing to partner. This is something that his office does across the state of Ohio. The Bradfield graciously provided lunch, breakfast and space for us. We are grateful to all our partners.”
Reach Precious Grundy 567-242-0351.
