‘Amazing to see that type of industry here in Union’

Union County High School teachers and administrators visited local industries in order to better prepare their students for life after high school.

As part of the Union County School District’s ongoing efforts to promote career awareness and strengthen business and educational partnerships, UCHS teachers and administrators toured three local industries — Timken, Gestamp and Haemonetics—on Friday, Feb. 10.

Educators had the opportunity for a firsthand look at the kinds of jobs available for students in local plants and received information about the skills students need to qualify for employment.

Longtime UCHS teacher Ralph Lawson said the tours were beneficial for teachers to see the type of jobs developing in Union.

“I was quite impressed with Gestamp,” Lawson said. “When you go in, there are all these robots working. It was rather amazing to see that type of industry here in Union. I think it is great for our county.”

Lawson, who teaches in areas of theatre and communications, learned specifics about types of communication that take place within each of the industries.

“There was something for every teacher there,” Lawson said. “Everybody who went was impressed with the whole tour.”

Lawson said that many of those who participated in the tour were not aware of the day-to-day activities which take place inside the industries.

“I heard that comment made several times that day,” Lawson said. “Even the employees said they bet we drove by all the time but didn’t know what they did inside.”

Information from the visits will assist teachers in helping students transition successfully into post-secondary education or the workforce.

Teachers from the UCHS Career and Technology Center requested actual objects they could take back to show in their classrooms to give students an idea of the skill and precision required for employment with local industry.

By Derik Vanderford, Staff Reporter with The Union Daily Times