Plastic tubing manufacturer NewAge Industries in Southampton, PA welcomed on Tuesday several students and teachers from Neil A. Armstrong Middle School in Fairless Hills, PA. The students made the trip to NewAge to learn about careers in manufacturing and to film their visit as part of the Philadelphia Region’s first What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? student video contest.
Created by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) in Allentown, PA, the annual video contest excites students to explore cool manufacturing careers and produce profiles of companies throughout Pennsylvania. The teams of students and teacher coaches receive camera equipment, software, and professional guidance as they learn to script, record, and edit their video stories. Judges bestow a variety of awards and fans vote online for its Viewers Choice Award. The contest’s objective is to change students’ perceptions about manufacturing careers.
First held in 2013, the contest has become so popular that its format has been adopted in the Philadelphia Region and six additional Pennsylvania communities – Berks and Schuylkill counties; Cambria and Somerset counties; Chester and Delaware counties; North Central PA; the Pittsburgh area; and South Central PA. The MRC provides logistical and promotional support and manages online voting for these affiliated contests and manages the flagship Lehigh Valley area contest.
The first-year Philadelphia Region contest is managed by the Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia.
“When I was approached about this,” said Ken Baker, NewAge’s CEO, “I was on board immediately. I believe it’s important for kids to know that manufacturing jobs don’t have to be boring. There are positions at NewAge that involve computerized testing and monitoring equipment, innovative machinery development, quality control, and clean room operations, engineering, and other advanced manufacturing techniques. They’re jobs that may not require a four-year college degree, but STEM skills and a strong desire for continued learning definitely come into play.”
Armstrong Middle School students and teachers toured NewAge Industries’ silicone tubing production areas, plastic tubing extrusion rooms, custom hose assembly shops, product testing areas, quality assurance stations, and its warehouse.
About NewAge Industries
For information on current employment opportunities at NewAge Industries, visit newageindustries.com/employ.asp or contact the Fluid Transfer Specialists at NewAge Industries by phone at 800.506.3924 or 215.526.2300; by email to info@newageindustries.com; by fax to 800.837.1856 or 215.526.2190; or by postal mail to 145 James Way, Southampton, PA 18966.
About Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia
The Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia is a regional trade organization created to give voice to the owners and employees of this important economic sector. Its mission to strengthen manufacturing in the Philadelphia region by ensuring a voice in government, establishing collegial relationships between companies, and providing the means improve efficiency, competitiveness and profitability for members. The organization addresses issues of policy, economic development, job training and other topics relevant to the growth and economic well-being of the industry. Additional information is available at manufacturingonline.org.
News Story Contact
Bow Lewis, Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, 215.948.9285
Photo from Bristol Township School District