“Building Futures Locally” – Manufacturing Career Day in Chatham-Kent

Abstract: “Building Futures Locally” – Manufacturing Career Day in Chatham-Kent

• Purpose: Chatham-Kent Manufacturing Career Day was hosted on November 8, 2024, in partnership with the Lambton Kent District School Board. The purpose was designed to dismantle outdated perceptions of the advanced manufacturing sector to the future workforce and those soon entering post-secondary education.

• Recognizing a gap between youth career aspirations and local industry opportunities, the Chatham-Kent Economic Development & Tourism team, in collaboration with manufacturers and educational institutions across the municipality, launched a strategic marketing initiative titled “Manufacturing Career Day.” This project was specifically designed to capture the imagination of high school students, parents, and educators while reinforcing the message that advanced manufacturing careers are accessible, innovative, and financially rewarding—right in their own backyard.

Anticipated outcome:

-> Secure 5+ Advanced Manufacturing businesses

-> 200+ students attending

-> Build connections with students and the potential employers leading to future placement opportunities.

• Event Breakdown:

• 7 local Chatham-Kent high schools brought students, guidance counsellors/teachers touring 7 total locations listed below. Tours provided education sessions, hands-on demonstrations, & walkthroughs.
  • 1 Source Design Ltd.
  • Aarkel Tool and Die Inc.
  • AWC Manufacturing LP.
  • Lambton Conveyor Limited.
  • Martinrea International
  • Windmill Cabinet Chop Ltd.
  • University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus

• The Marketing Campaign

• Target Audience: High school students 15-17 within Chatham-Kent, parents/educators, as well as the advanced manufacturing sector and businesses throughout the municipality.

• Digital storytelling through images showing local young professionals working in automation, robotics, and skilled trades.
• Official municipal press release to educate about the purpose of Manufacturing Career Day.
• Robust social media strategy using LinkedIn: Boosted behind-the-scenes photos of tour locations. Social media strategy integrated with Made in CK local manufacturing spotlight series videos.

• The event itself was immersive, with hands-on exhibits, machinery demos, live presentations

• Challenges & Changes Made: The biggest challenge was coordinating the bus time arrivals with the host locations and keeping on-time. A buffer time between locations helped in this situation.

Outcome & Results:

• Event achieved more than high attendance and social media engagement—it sparked a movement to elevate Chatham-Kent’s industrial potential through targeted, human-centered storytelling and experiential learning.
• 254 students attended
• 6 advanced manufacturers with 50+ combined staff leading tour sessions
• Social Media Campaign: 1,900+ impressions
• Employers reported surge in training/co-op placement inquiries from young jobseekers.

• Effectiveness/Meeting Objectives: This event is critical with succession planning and retention of significant businesses that make a large economic impact. Local businesses provided positive feedback that Manufacturing Career Day gains a boost for future workers, additional awareness of careers in the sector and providing hands on learning opportunities.

• Sustainability of Event:
• Manufacturing Day was inspired by the provincial ‘Ontario Made’ Manufacturing Day initiative. The event is sustainable due to the large interest and willingness of participating manufacturers that wish to participate in the event. The schools and businesses in the community value this type of event and are very willing to participate.