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Educators in Industry event at A-B Tech

Tom Tveidt, director of research at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks to educators about manufacturing in the region Oct. 13 in the Magnolia Dining Room.

The Career Pathways Partnership sponsored an Educators in Industry Event Oct. 13 at A-B Tech to discuss manufacturing careers available and training needed for the workforce.

Educators from area high schools attended the event featuring a manufacturing update by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, a panel discussion by area manufacturers and site visits some companies.

Tom Tveidt, director of research at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, said that manufacturing was one of the four main drivers of the area economy. "Manufacturing is at the core of wealth creation for this community. It is a must," he said. "Manufacturing has more than 18,000 employees, $750 million in local exports and $2.2 billion in gross domestic product. No other industry in the area gets close to that number."

Tveidt spoke on the diversity of manufacturing including sales, computers, and human resources and how various levels of education and experience are needed for employment. "There is something in manufacturing for everybody and many of them, if not most of the jobs, pay very well," he said.

Members of the panel spoke on what they need from high school graduates seeking employment including work ethic, good attitudes, interview skills, conflict resolution and a team concept.

Participating in the panel were Vernon Daugherty, dean of Engineering and Applied Technology at A-B Tech; David Hall, President/CEO of Deltec Homes; Patricia Higley, Human Resources manager at Jacob Holm Industries of America; Sammy Johnson, Quality/Reengineering manager, Jacob Holm; Mike Fielder of Unison Engine Components; Rene Ramirez, training coordinator for Thermo Fisher Scientific; and Jeff Powers, plant manager of Thermo Fisher.

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