BHS students get first-hand look at manufacturing job opportunities in Breckenridge
By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
On Tuesday, a group of about 100 Breckenridge High School juniors got a first-hand look at some of the manufacturing jobs and career opportunities that are available to them in Breckenridge after high school. In a tour organized by the Breckenridge Become-Economic Development Corporation and Breckenridge High School, the students visited four major manufacturing plants.
The students were divided into three groups that toured the facilities at R.E. Dye Manufacturing Corporation, EZ Pack Bridgeport LLC, RGN Services Inc., and Ox Manufacturing LLC.
“It’s critical to the viability of Breckenridge’s growth that graduating students perceive that a long-term, successful career path can be found here, at home,” BEDC CEO/Executive Director Colton Buckley said in an email announcing the tour. “Furthermore, especially in today’s economic climate, it is very much needed for employers in Breckenridge to have a recruiting base from which to select and place likely employees.”
During the tours, the students were guided through each of the facilities by representatives who explained their operations and the type of manufacturing they do and the types of products they manufacture. They were also shown demonstrations at each of the businesses and some of the projects the companies are working on.
Representatives also described the types of jobs their companies offer and the types of skills and education they require. For example, R.E. Dye President Coby Dye told the students that his company has a variety of jobs with requirements that range from high school diploma to college education. He also said math and science are important in the type of work they do and that being able to read is important, too, because R.E. Dye employees have to read and understand lot information. He said a machinist, for example, has to be able to work from a 2D drawings and then use their math skills to convert those 2D plans and drawings into three-dimensional parts.
He also said that computer programming is becoming an important skill for their employees as they move more and more toward using machines that require a lot of programing. He said that being able to work at a company like R.E. Dye in Breckenridge is a great opportunity for somebody who wants a good job and wants to stay in Breckenridge.
Luis Ramirez, final supervisor at the EZ Pack Bridgeport manufacturing plant in Breckenridge, speaks to BHS students during a tour of the plant by the students on Tuesday. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Coby Dye, president of R.E. Dye Manufacturing Corporation, talks to students from Breckenridge High School on Tuesday about some of the job skills needed to work at the company. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Daniel Smith, a machinist at R.E. Dye, describes to BHS students the steps he uses to create metal parts. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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