Marshall County high school students explore career opportunities in manufacturing

BREMEN, Ind. --- Local businesses and factories in Marshall County are connecting with the next generation of workers for Manufacturer’s Day, organized by the county’s economic development corporation.

With a record number of students and businesses involved in this year’s tours, students were able to learn about a variety of job opportunities you don’t need a degree for.

Students from Bremen High toured Digger Specialties and many saw some familiar faces.

Destiny Chapman graduated from Bremen High in 2017.

“We went on this tour and one of the places we came was here,” Chapman said. “Basically I saw this and now I’m doing this today.”

Destiny was in their shoes not too long ago. If she didn’t go on that tour, she said she doesn’t know if she’d be working for Bremen today.

Bremen High School Principal Bruce Jennings said after high school or college, they want students to come back to work in Bremen.

“We think it’s so important not only for the high school graduates that don’t want to go to college and want enter the workforce, it’s very important for them, but also the college bound kids,” Jennings said. “There are college-bound job opportunities here after college.”

There are opportunities for students to make $16 to $17 an hour right out of high school. With the tours, many local factories and businesses have benefited.

2012 Bremen High School Graduate Andrew Borkholder now has a long-time career with Digger.

““Digger gave me an opportunity to start welding and learn to still trade, I really started to enjoy and I expressed some interest as far as moving up and here I am today,” Borkholder said.

“People actually learn the trade and earn good money without have to go to a four and six year college.”

900 students from Plymouth, Culver, Argos, and Bremen participated in the tours.

Businesses Participating in Manufacturer’s Day tours:

ITAMCO- Argos
Homestead Dairy
WestRock
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center
CTE Solutions
Pretzels Inc
Hoosier Tire
Valmont
Pregis
A.K. Industries
Miller’s Manor
Mobile Tech Trailers
Southwire
Nisco
Bremen Castings
Indiana Carton
Bremen Water Plant
Bremen Train Depot
Bremen Town Hall
Universal Bearings
Precision Painting
Better Way
Digger Specialties