Effort opens eyes to job options for girls

There were plenty of sparks flying at WNY P-TECH in Dunkirk. Six students entering ninth grade at Dunkirk High School recently spent the day in the Welding Technology shop.

As part of the latest Girls in Manufacturing event to be held locally, the girls learned different welding techniques and the careers that can come from mastering the in demand trade skills. Participants from the Dunkirk City School District included Alexia Martinez, Aniyah Ortiz, Audiyanna Cheverez, Cecilia Waite, Edalee Aniszewsi, and Eliza Bautista.

Erin Carutis, associate program director of GEAR UP at SUNY Jamestown Community College, put out a call for the Dream It Do It-led event. GEAR UP is a federally funded, state-supported grant program that helps students enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Carutis works with the Dunkirk and Jamestown school districts to provide services and support to the class of 2028.

“They’re here today to learn what the manufacturing field has to offer,” she said.

While at WNY P-TECH, the six girls were able to make their own portable rocket stoves, a device that burns hot and efficiently by using small-diameter wood for fuel. Cheverez, 13, said she enjoyed learning about different welding techniques during the event. “I just think it’s a good opportunity to maybe help us out in life,” Cheverez said of the skills they learned. “Maybe it’s not something we will want to do, but it will help us.”

Students were provided hands-on training by welding teacher Jeremy Bryant and Brent Harkness, an associate professor of welding technology at JCC.

Noah Hardy, who is entering his senior year at WNY P-TECH, also provided a helping hand to the participants. Hardy is working at Dunkirk Metal Products as part of a summer internship.

Principal Jeff Teluk said Girls in Manufacturing is the successful culmination of work put in by Dream It Do It, WNY P-TECH, and the Manufacturing Technology Institute at JCC.

“These instructors and staff understand the tremendous impact that volunteering their time to introduce young persons to the varying jobs available within manufacturing has in helping to fill a pipeline of well-educated and well-trained skilled college graduates,” Teluk said.

Todd Tranum, Dream It Do It Western New York president and CEO, said the initiative is a way to “engage young ladies with applied learning opportunities” to help them better understand the manufacturing industry.

“It’s a great way to take the application of manufacturing and then have a discussion about some of the careers that are available,” Tranum said.

According to Dream It Do It Western New York, women make up about 47% of the total workforce, but only 30% of the 15.8 million people employed in manufacturing industries. In addition, only 1 in 4 manufacturing leaders are women.

“It’s part of our overall mission with Dream It Do It, which is to build that early talent pipeline with a focus on middle- and high-school students to help support our manufacturing economy and fill a lot of open jobs that are out there,” Tranum said.

The WNY P-TECH STEM College & Career Academy offers a project-based, differentiated learning structure with specialized educators working in tandem with higher education, business partners, and public school districts.

Students work to earn New York State Regents diplomas and A.A.S. degrees in Welding Technology, Mechanical Technology with specializations in CADD or machine tool, or Mechatronics from SUNY Jamestown Community College.