School’s in at Mickey’s ‘Manufacturing Day’

(From left) Mickey?s Kyle McLaughlin, Josh Soto and Tim Hullett talk to students from East Davidson High School.

Mickey Truck Bodies teamed up this spring with Thomas Bus and Old Dominion to host students from three local high schools that offer a curriculum dedicated to manufacturing and whose students are interested in a vocational track such as welding. Dubbed ?Manufacturing Day,? the students heard about career opportunities in manufacturing from company personnel and toured each of the facilities, all based in High Point.

Approximately 30 students from each school ? East Davidson High School, High Point Central and Randleman High – participated in the day?s events. ?We wanted to give these students the opportunity to see a manufacturing environment in action, and hopefully make a connection with future Mickey teammates,? says Tim Hullett, Mickey?s Manufacturing Training Manager.

?Our goal for this program and the visits to Mickey, Thomas and Old Dominion was to enlighten our students to the opportunities available to them for good jobs ? good paying jobs ? with fine companies once they graduate from high school,? says Danny Byerly, Welding Instructor at East Davidson High School.

?When you walk through our plants and campus you see all this amazing equipment and technology,? Tim told the groups. ?That helps us create all of the bodies and trailers you see here – trucks that deliver beverages and batteries. Bodies that become ambulances. You see the Frito-Lay trucks with beautiful graphics. But it takes more than technology to create these products. It takes human skill sets and dedication. And we are always looking for qualified people to join the Mickey Team.?

Kyle McLaughlin, a Mickey Vice President, urged the students to take the day seriously ? ?This is not a day off from school,? he said. ?This is an important step in understanding the opportunities you have ahead of you and what you can be preparing for as you continue on your vocational track. Great welders can earn a great living. Stay in school. Pay attention to your instructors. Take it all in. You will be grateful you did when it?s time to go to work.?