Manufacturing camp hosted in Fishersville

On Thursday, local students got a little taste of the manufacturing business in Fishersville. The Valley Career and Technical Center hosted a camp this week in order to get younger people interested in jobs that are in high demand.

Students learned computer programming in order to use state-of-the-art precision machines to create keychains and three-dimensional puzzles. The camp is an initiative by Virginia's Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, which seeks to open pathways for young adults and veterans with disabilities, and create a pipeline of qualified candidates for manufacturing and IT jobs.

"This academy gives them the opportunity for some hands-on training and experience, so that they can decide if this is something they really want to do, or, if they have the aptitude to do it as well," said Emily West, the project manager for Virginia's Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities.

Participants also said that this has helped them determine what career paths they'd like to take later in life.

"It's a good experience for people to learn the trades that are dying, and it's good money in them too," said Jackson Coffey. "It's pretty simple. It's hands-on, which is not that hard. As long as you know a little bit of math you can get it done."

Interested in learning more about manufacturing and other in-demand jobs across the Shenandoah Valley? Check out WHSV's inDemand series

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