Article by Andrew Barbes
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce have been working with the local Public School System to help better the current relationship, between students grades 10-12 and the major manufactures in the community. The different manufactures and businesses in the community are always striving to find a good work force in skilled positions. The EDA and Chamber of Commerce are working together with the schools current work experience program, to let students see the inner workings of the different manufacturing facilities.
Rarely are the youth able to see there are many general and specialized jobs, where manufacturers are desperate to find quality workers right in their home town. Students may walk by the different manufacturer’s buildings every day, never really knowing what is going on inside or what the company does. It is our goal to have the students know manufacturing is a different working environment than years past, connect quality youth workers with local businesses and retain the communities population.
It is our hope that by taking these steps it will bring the community closer together where the citizens and manufacturers will have a better understanding for each other. Currently in the works is a tour of the different facilities where students will get a first hand experience with these major businesses.