However, this year the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is supporting Manhattan Area Technical National College’s Signing Day. That will be the moment where we recognize students that are signing their letter of intent to continue their education at MATC.
The ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, April 20, at 1 p.m., will celebrate the importance of technical programs in our region and will honor students pursuing a technical field career. The event is part of a nationwide program that spotlights the importance of technical education across the nation.
As our economic development team works to attract new jobs to the region from both new and existing companies, it becomes clear that without a pipeline of workers available in Manhattan, those jobs will go other places. Many of today’s industries require highly skilled workers in technical careers. The Scorpius project is a prime example. While the company’s relationship with Kansas State was a big factor in their site decision, the availability of programs at MATC was almost as critical in locating a manufacturing operation in the Flint Hills.
Technical education in both healthcare and the construction trades is also important to regional growth. A pipeline of healthcare professionals help ensure that you and your family can receive quality care locally. Skilled tradespeople build the homes, offices, and commercial spaces where we live, work and shop.
We must get more students involved in these careers of the future and we couldn’t be more pleased to be able to be part of this year’s festivities. Obviously, we want to be part of saying congratulations to the students. But we also want to start the process of trying to influence our future technical workers to stay in the Manhattan region.
All our great educational institutions are important to our economic future. We see this as an opportunity to spotlight one part that many times goes unnoticed.
Please try to attend this year’s ceremony at MATC if you can. You can register here.