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The Grow Manufacturing Initiative is dedicated to inspiring STEM education and engineering pathways for Northern California students.
Our goal is to connect middle and high school students with valuable, real-world experiences both inside and outside the classroom. This is accomplished through a mix of classroom presentations, events, job shadowing opportunities, and manufacturing plant tours.
GMI organizes and attends a multitude of school events around the North State. These include our own annual Grow Manufacturing Expo, various job fairs, mini Maker Faires, and presentations. Out-of-class learning is important in getting students immersed in the possibilities.
One of our main focuses is to collaborate with Industry and Education to develop Industry-driven career pathways and ensure that Manufacturing related skills are being taught at a high school level. Manufacturing pathway programs provide students with progressive levels of integrated academic and career-based education and thus ensure that our regional youth are adequately prepared to enter Manufacturing careers in high-wage, high-growth companies.
Manufacturing facilities are often eager to meet and educate students as possible future employees of their company. GMI coordinates in-depth tours of many of our member plants. These facility tours provide valuable exposure to the job floor and is second only to real-world experience from the job itself!
Job shadowing is where students gain valuable real-world experience. The Grow Manufacturing Initiative works with its members and educators to create short-term internships providing students an edge in their STEM education. Opportunities like these often accelerate a person’s advancement in the engineering field.
Visit GMI’s YouTube Channel, select the Manufacturing Tours Playlist and visit over 10 local Manufacturing facilities from the comfort of your classroom (or home)! Join Aerospace Manufacturers and Chico natives, Sel-Tech (manufacturer of onboard folding air stairs for VIP or military aircrafts) as they show off their facility and touch on requirements of the job. Also located at the Chico Airport, visit Air Spray, one of the oldest and most experienced wildfire suppression aircraft operators, and known world-wide for quality aircraft and tank systems, reliable safety, business integrity, innovative technology, and professional service. Other virtual tours include PBM Sprayers, Tink Manufacturing and the educational Advanced Manufacturing facilities of Butte College and Shasta College.
