Gilbert Chamber Foundation, GPS Students Tour Heliae

GILBERT – The Gilbert Chamber Foundation teamed up with Gilbert Public Schools, Arizona State University, and local manufacturers to organize the Manufacturing Month Student Bus Tours, providing junior high students with a behind-the-scenes look at careers in manufacturing.

More than 230 students and educators from five junior high schools participated in this year’s Manufacturing Month Student Bus Tours on October 24th. Each school toured two manufacturing sites and all schools traveled to Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus where they participated in a hands-on activity facilitated by the College of Engineering.

“We know that the field of manufacturing is experiencing a significant workforce shortage and it is important to us as business and education partners to provide our students with a strong understanding of what it means to work in manufacturing,” said Sarah Watts, Vice President of Workforce & Community Partnerships at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. “There are thousands of manufacturing jobs available statewide; and there will be for years to come. We hope our local talent will see the opportunities that exist for them right here in our community.”

Participating host sites included Able Engineering, Bio Huma Netics, Epic Manufacturing, Heliae Development, Moldworx, and Wisdom Natural Brands.

“Having the students from Gilbert Public Schools tour our campus was a gratifying experience,” said Mike LaMont, Vice President of Operations at Heliae. “At Heliae we focus on building a sustainable world for tomorrow, so what better way to share our work than with those who are the future. Seeing their excitement in our work creates a rewarding experience to not only our everyday tasks, but also in assuring we are doing what is needed now to support their future.”