VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — STIHL, Inc., in collaboration with the Virginia Manufacturers Association, hosted 34 high school students at their manufacturing facility for it's ninth Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp.
The company says this year marked the first time the camp returned since 2019 with a "forward-looking theme" of 'Lighting the Future.'
Through the camp, STIHL promoted careers in modern manufacturing and educated students on both skilled trades and degreed career paths in the manufacturing industry.
"This camp is a great way to promote local manufacturing and introduce students to careers in a field that they may not otherwise have exposure," said Lorraine Amesbury Holder, senior vice president of operations at STIHL, Inc. "Not only do the students walk away from this camp learning about STIHL, Inc., this camp leaves students excited about pursuing careers in manufacturing after they graduate, helping STIHL, Inc. and other companies fill their future positions."
The free four-day program provided high school students experience with manufacturing process planning, budgeting and product quality along with the significance of hard work and collaboration, said a spokesperson for STIHL.
Students were given a hands-on, technology-based project and worked in teams to build desk lamps using STIHL components.
"This program allows us to engage with students and introduce them to a STEM career field and new technologies, with the goal of really getting them passionate about this industry and correcting any old misconceptions they may have about manufacturing," said STIHL Manager of Talent Development Courtney Addison.
On the final day of the camp, the teams competed against each other before a panel of judges including Representative Jen Kiggans, Commissioner for Virginia Department of Labor & Industry Gary Pan, and Virginia Beach City Councilmember Michael Berlucchi.
Team Bleu took home the championship and the students on the team received a $1,000 scholarship from Virginia Industry Foundation.
