Stihl Summer Camp shows career options
In collaboration with the Virginia Manufacturers Association, Stihl hosted students at its ninth annual Manufacturing Summer Camp at its Virginia Beach, Va., facility. Held on July 26-29, the camp theme was “Lighting the Future,” and it was the first year the camp has been held since 2019.
“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 camp highlighted careers in modern manufacturing and educated teens on both skilled trades and degreed career paths in manufacturing.
“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 Courtney Addison, STIHL Inc. manager of talent development.
At the free four-day program, high school students experienced manufacturing process planning, budgeting, and product quality, as well as the significance of hard work and collaboration. Students took part in a hands-on technology-based project working in teams to build desk lamps using STIHL components.
On the final day, teams competed in a friendly competition, before a panel of distinguished judges including Jen Kiggans, U.S. House of Representatives; Gary Pan, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Labor & Industry; and Michael Berlucchi, Virginia Beach City Council.
Members of the winning team Team Bleu- River Aman, Carson Bernstein, BellaGrace Chavez, Issac Halcomb, Aiden Kearns, Joseph Quartararo and Emily Wagner— received a $1,000 scholarship from Virginia Industry Foundation and were named 2023 STIHL Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp champions.
STIHL Inc. is pleased to support the work the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), the National Association of Landscape Professionals, America’s State Parks, the American Green Zone Alliance and the North American Hardware and Paint Association. For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
