On October 4, 2024, the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) teamed up with Pacific Southwest Container (PSC), in Modesto, CA to celebrate MFG Day and inspire the next generation by showcasing the innovative work and various career paths available in the corrugated packaging industry. Thirty-six students across grades 9-12 in the Manufacturing, Production, and Green Technology (MPGT) Academy, Ceres High School’s award-winning career and technical education program, visited PSC to tour the plant floor, hear from current corrugated packaging employees, and engage in a hands-on competition using corrugated point-of-purchase displays.
Held the first Friday in October each year, MFG Day, developed in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Manufacturing Institute (MI), encourages thousands of companies and educational institutions nationwide to open their doors to students, parents, educators and community leaders, fostering an in-depth understanding of the rewarding and high-paying careers available in modern manufacturing.
During the event, students connected their technical education coursework with examples of real-world production, maintenance, engineering, and innovation on the plant floor. They were also reminded of the role corrugated products play in our everyday lives and corrugated’s ability to provide appeal to consumers while interacting with point-of-purchase displays. Most importantly, students heard directly from PSC team members about the value of an industry career and the rewarding nature of working for an industry that prioritizes their employees, the planet, and their customers.
“At PSC, we know that thriving in our industry takes more than machines. It takes a focused group of women and men who are dedicated to our values: 360˚ Health, Teamwork, Quality, and Sustainability,” said Trenton Mayol, President & CEO at PSC.
“It’s all really intricate, which is something I didn’t expect to see at a box factory,” said a Ceres High School student in attendance who is also a member of the MPGT Academy. “You don’t really think that a lot is going to go into making boxes, but it’s a lot of different steps. We learned that you really play with the geometry [of a box] and that interests me.”
The event served as a relevant experiential learning opportunity for Ceres High School’s MPGT Academy, which provides student access to hands-on learning that focuses on manufacturing, computer-aided draft and design, engineering, robotics, renewable energy, and more. The program is a distinguished, California Partnership Lighthouse Academy and serves as a model for other schools.
In addition to co-hosting PSC’s inaugural MFG Day celebration and serving as an official sponsor of MFG Day, ICPF has also worked to encourage its corporate partners and leaders across the corrugated packaging industry to take part in community-based events and engage with local student populations throughout October in celebration of Manufacturing Month. “We recognize that one of the most important audiences to engage with when promoting the jobs available in the corrugated packaging industry is our young students,” said ICPF President Caitlin Salaverria. “MFG Day and this partnership with PSC presented an invaluable opportunity to allow current high school students to get a behind the scenes look at this vital, stable industry in action. We are eager to continue this work with PSC and many more industry representatives into the future to bring awareness of corrugated packaging industry careers to the forefront for career-ready students and graduates.”
Watch a video from the event here.
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ICPF is an independent, non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation dedicated to growing the labor force of the corrugated packaging industry now and into the future. ICPF is largely supported by individual corrugated manufacturers and supply companies and is co-sponsored by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association and the Fibre Box Association (FBA). Learn more at www.careersincorrugated.com.
Pacific Southwest Container, LLC takes pride in meeting consumers’ expectations for innovative, high-quality packaging, while always keeping an eye on your bottom line. Learn how our team of craftswomen and craftsmen can support businesses so they can better support their customers at www.teampsc.com.