Ohio Congresswoman Monica Robb Blasdel and United States Representative Bill Johnson both delivered remarks to students at Columbiana County ESC’s October 27 Manufacturing Your Future event. (Salem News photo by Morgan Ahart)
LISBON — The Columbiana County Technical Career Center hosted the Educational Services Center (ESC) Manufacturing Your Future event on October 27.
The event, produced in conjunction with the Columbiana County ESC Business Advisory Committee, was hosted by U.S. Representative Bill Johnson. The event brought together students from Southern Local, United Local, Beaver Local, Leetonia, East Liverpool, Lisbon, Columbiana and Salem school districts and began with remarks from Johnson.
“College is a good thing. But there are plenty of opportunities outside of a four-year college. Many have the idea that manufacturing is dirty, that it is dark. A factory is the place where there is noise all the time. There are many different types of manufacture. Look at the things you use every day, from plastic to cardboard to electronics. We do it here in America and it’s not necessarily loud dirty work,” says Johnson.
The students in attendance were divided into four groups, each visiting two of the eight major manufacturing companies in the county. Group one visited Butech Bliss and Ventra; group two visited Hickey Metal Fabrication and MAC Trailer Manufacturing; group three visited CTM Labeling Systems and Tru Cut; and group four visited Compco and Humtown. After the tours, the students received lunch at the Tech Center courtesy of Johnson.
After lunch, the students enjoyed a video presentation and the groups took turns touring the center’s welding and precision machining programs.
