Indian River County, comprising the cities of Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere, is located along Florida’s central east coast. The county enjoys a diverse and healthy economy, with an unemployment rate of 4%. As with many communities throughout the country, a low unemployment rate translates into a picture of nearly full employment, thus triggering challenges for employers across all industries to fill open positions.
The Indian River County Manufacturing Bootcamp program provides a partial solution to this challenge. The Economic Development Office at the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce launched their Manufacturing Bootcamp program in 2019, and it has grown significantly in popularity and participation since its inception.
The free, week-long program provides an intense yet rewarding experience for high school students, and those completing their GEDs, who are exploring post-high school opportunities. It introduces them to potential careers in the manufacturing industry, providing facility tours and hands-on activities. High school students attending public, charter or private schools are eligible to participate, as are those who attend Florida’s Virtual School or students who are home-schooled. Young adults up to age 20 are also eligible to apply.
The program includes daily soft-skills sessions, covering topics such as teamwork, communications, ethics, resume writing and financial literacy, along with an afternoon set aside for mock interviews.
The program is held the first week of June, after school lets out, and runs Monday-Friday, 8am to 3pm each day, with transportation provided to the tour locations and lunch compliments of the host employers.
The EDO partners with many local businesses and non-profit organizations to plan and coordinate program activities, and to help promote the program to students and their parents, teachers, and career counselors.
Helene Caseltine, Economic Development Vice President at the Chamber, explains that getting buy-in from the students’ parents is crucial to the program’s success. Along with Career Counselors at the local high schools, she encourages students to consider entering the program and, eventually, entering the workforce to see how they might earn a livable salary after graduation rather than incurring student loan debt.
Program partners include the School District of Indian River County, CareerSource Research Coast which is the regional workforce development organization, plus many local non-profits that work with high school students, all helping to promote the program and serve as volunteers during the Bootcamp week.
The Manufacturing Bootcamp is free to all students in the County. Funding is included in the EDO’s annual budget. Students tour 2-3 local manufacturing facilities each day, talking to the owners and plant managers, asking questions, and seeing first-hand how products are made and the types of jobs available. Internships at host employers and apprenticeships through CareerSource may also be offered to those who complete the program.
Since the program was launched five years ago, a number of students have been hired as full-time employees by the host employers. Participating employers include: Piper Aircraft, manufacturer of small personal and training aircraft; Dragonfly Boatworks which makes stand-up paddleboards; MA Ford, specializing in precision drill bits; Nylacarb, a family-owned plastic injection molding firm; Aluma Tower which makes aluminum telescoping towers, shelters, and trailer units; and Triton Submarines, an internationally known producer of personal submersibles.
New this year was a session focusing on Skilled Trades, in partnership with the Treasure Coast Builders Association. Students were shown how to read blueprints, cut PVC pipe for plumbing fixtures, and did some electrical work using low-voltage decorative lights. The hands-on activities were a huge hit with the students.
The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing Bootcamp program is now gearing up for its sixth year. As noted, local partnerships play a key role in growing the program and providing a rewarding experience for local high school students. The program is a component of the EDO’s business retention and expansion efforts.
For more information about the Manufacturing Bootcamp program, or other workforce preparation and business retention/expansion initiatives, call or email Helene Caseltine, the Chamber’s Economic Development Vice President, at 772-567-3491 or helenec@indianrivered.com.
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