Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has joined The Manufacturing Institute’s (MI) “Dream It. Do It.” initiative. The initiative is a network of companies and organizations in the U.S. working to positively change the image of careers in manufacturing and strengthen the workforce pipeline.
In its first year with the initiative, Cooper’s goal is to reach thousands of students with the initiative’s message and will focus its efforts on communities with tire manufacturing facilities in Findlay, Ohio; Tupelo, Miss., and Texarkana, Ark., the tiremaker said.
To reach out to students, Cooper has also created a Dream Team of more than 25 employees from facilities, tech centers and corporate to create multiple programs in local communities.
Starting Oct. 2, Cooper Dream Team members will have activities in Findlay, Tupelo and Texarkana to celebrate Manufacturing Day.
In Findlay, approximately 800 eighth-grade students will be invited to Cooper on Oct. 13 through Oct. 16 for the Cooper Tire Manufacturing Experience, which features a series of interactive experiences such as CAD simulations and 3D printing to spark their interest in manufacturing.
In Tupelo, around 3,000 eighth-grade students will visit the Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo on Oct. 6 and 7. At the event students will visit a variety of company-sponsored exhibits at the BancorpSouth Arena and participate in hands-on demonstrations from manufacturing companies and hear from those who work in those businesses. Sponsors include the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund and CREATE Foundation.
In Texarkana, approximately 1,100 eighth-grade students will be invited to the Cooper Tire Manufacturing Experience at the Texarkana Convention Center on Oct. 20 and 21. At the event, students will learn to measure and place building components, visually inspect products and use hand tools. A local technical school will also provide information about trade occupations similar to jobs at Cooper.
