Contact: Amy Goode
P: 814-781-3437
amy@communityedcenter.com
Local Educators Visit MPG Ridgway
On March 23rd, the Potter County Education Council and Community Education Center DISCOVER Partnership held an Educator in the Workplace event. Educators from Ridgway and Johnsonburg school districts spent the day at MPG (Metaldyne Performance Group) Ridgway to get a hands-on opportunity in the powdered metal industry to connect their subject area with relevant business practices such as the challenges, new technologies, and use of academic skills in the workplace. The Educators spent time in each department learning the roles within the company, career paths, job opportunities, and skills required for the job. MPG put an emphasis on the need for skilled labor positions like Die Setters, Tooling and Robotics Operators. They recommend students research these career paths that require Certifications or Associates Degrees that would get them working in a short bit of time with the ability to work in a state of the art facility and live right in their hometown. Many times throughout the day, MPG informed the educators they are looking for “students with communication and presentation skills. They need to know how to talk to people.”
This workplace experience gives the Educators an opportunity to modify their lesson plans and instructional approaches so that students are learning skills they need to get a job and so they can relate what they are learning in the classroom to the world of work. According to Mrs. Rosemarie Schaut, Ridgway High School English Instructor, “I spent a great day at Metaldyne Performance Group in Ridgway, today through the CEC "Educator In the Workplace " Program. There are so many opportunities for our young graduates throughout Elk County, at so many educational and interest levels in the metal-formed components industries. These industries provide further training, international travel opportunities, and problem-solving team environments. It was fun to meet people passionate about what they do and interested in sharing how their roles help contribute to the shared vision of this global operation. This was a terrific experience.”
The next Educator in the Workplace Event is scheduled for April 7th at the Elk Country Visitors Center. Educators can contact the CEC at 781-3437 or register online at http://www.pottercountyedcouncil.org.