By Katarina Webb
During the week of September 29, Career+ Pathways™ had the privilege of taking high school students on tours as part of Manufacturing Week 2025, thanks to the partnership and leadership of Greater Lafayette Commerce.
These tours provided valuable, hands-on exposure to local industries, and for many students it was their very first time stepping onto the floor of a manufacturer – seeing firsthand the innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving that drive one of Indiana’s most critical sectors.
Some of the students participating are also taking advantage of completing requirements for the Career+ Locally Created Pathway (LCP), an Indiana graduation option that allows schools and communities to design unique experiences, like microcredentials, career coaching sessions, and Career+™ Experiences, that prepare students for life after high school. Career+ Pathways™’ LCP blends classroom learning with real-world experiences, giving students the chance to complete graduation requirements while gaining practical knowledge about the careers waiting for them beyond high school.
Why These Tours Matter
Manufacturing isn’t just about machines. It’s about products, people, careers, and pathways. By visiting local employers, students can:
- Connect what they are learning in school to real-world applications.
- Visualize career options available right here in the Greater Lafayette community.
- Ask questions directly to professionals working in advanced manufacturing roles.
In addition to sparking career exploration, these tours gave students meaningful, hands-on experiences that connected classroom learning to the real world. By stepping into advanced workplaces, students were able to see how innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork come together in industries that power our region.
Each experience gave students the chance to observe professionals in action, connect what they are learning in school to industry practices, and picture themselves in potential careers. For some, these tours confirmed an existing interest in manufacturing or engineering. For others, it opened the door to career fields they hadn’t considered before. In both cases, students left with a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them and the confidence that there are multiple pathways to success after graduation.
Building Bridges Between Schools and Industry
Partnerships like these don’t just benefit students. They strengthen our whole region. Local manufacturers get the chance to showcase their facilities, highlight career pathways, and inspire the next generation of talent. Schools gain valuable connections and a deeper understanding of how to prepare students for the workforce.
And students? They walk away with something no classroom can replicate: the spark of possibility when they see a role and a future they can imagine themselves in.
Gratitude and Employer Spotlight
We are especially grateful to the employers and partners who generously hosted tours during this year’s Manufacturing Week. Their willingness to open their doors gave students an unforgettable learning opportunity:
- Adkev, Monticello, IN – Students learned how this innovative company supports the automotive supply chain by producing high-quality injection molded components.
- Antique Candle Company, Lafayette, IN – Students experienced the process from start to finish of making a candle, even adjusting wicks themselves, and explored the shipping and marketing departments that keep products moving out the door.
- Ball Corporation, Monticello, IN – Students saw how advanced manufacturing supports everyday products by producing metal packaging that is used globally.
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, West Lafayette, IN – Students got a behind-the-scenes look at semiconductor research and production, discovering how different Purdue University departments share the same space and equipment to push forward innovation in chip technology.
- GE Aerospace, Lafayette, IN – Students learned about aerospace technology and the precision required to produce LEAP engines that keep aircraft safe and operational.
- Ivy Tech Community College – Advanced Manufacturing, Lafayette, IN – Students explored hands-on training opportunities and pathways to industry certifications that can lead directly into high-demand careers.
- Kirby Risk Precision Machining, Lafayette, IN – Students saw how employees shape raw parts into custom components for customers, and learned about the importance of quality control—understanding what it means for a company if even one part doesn’t meet standards.
- Kirby Risk Service Center, Lafayette, IN – Students learned how the service center supports regional industry with electrical supply solutions, distribution, and customer service, emphasizing the importance of reliable parts and support in keeping manufacturing running smoothly.
- Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), West Lafayette, IN – Students explored how SEL builds products that keep electricity flowing to our homes and communities, and how their technology helps restore the electrical grid quickly after damage.
- Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), Lafayette, IN – Students observed large-scale automotive manufacturing, from robotics on the assembly line to the teamwork required to produce vehicles at scale.
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, Lafayette, IN – Students learned how logistics and supply chain management ensure vehicles and heavy machinery move efficiently across the globe.
- Wintek Data Center, Lafayette, IN – Students visited a state-of-the-art data center, gaining exposure to careers in IT infrastructure and understanding the importance of data security and connectivity.
Each of these organizations played a key role in showing students the wide variety of career pathways available right here in Greater Lafayette. From global corporations to local innovators, their investment in students makes a lasting difference.
Looking Ahead
We’re grateful to Greater Lafayette Commerce, our school partners, and our employer partners who opened their doors during this year’s Manufacturing Week. Together, we are helping students not only meet their graduation requirements but also discover that career pathways can be exciting, rewarding, and right around the corner.
As we look to the future, Career+ Pathways will continue to create opportunities like this – ensuring every student has access to experiences that prepare them for success.
Let’s keep building these bridges. If you’re an employer, educator, or community leader interested in creating more hands-on career exploration opportunities, we’d love to connect.
Bio
Katarina Webb, School Success Manager at Career+ Pathways™! Starting as a Career Advisor through a partnership with Ivy Tech, Katarina now leads a team supporting schools across the GLC region. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, the creative arts and spending time with her family and fur babies.
