DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Door County has long been known for tourism and sight-seeing, but local officials are reminding people that it’s also a great place to begin an exciting career.
Door County will look to fill some of the 400 vacant manufacturing positions they have available on October 25 and October 27 when they host their second annual Door County Manufacturing Day.
The first day is intended for high school students, while the second day is open to the public from 8 AM to Noon.
Officials and employers are urging interested individuals to rethink modern manufacturing.
“It’s not our grandfather’s manufacturing, it’s not really even our parents’ manufacturing,” explains Paige Funkhouser, the economic development manager with the Door County Economic Development Corporation.
The idea of the event is to bring workers face to face with hiring employees and give them an opportunity to see what goes on behind the curtain. Those interested can even apply on the spot.
“We’re encouraging [individuals] and they are open to taking job applications,” says Funkhouser. “So come dressed ready to put your best foot forward.”
While hundreds of full-time, family-supporting jobs in manufacturing are available, many employers are also on the look to bring aboard interns.
“It’s a great place to spend a summer as a college student,” she says.
Several hundred of the open manufacturing positions are in shipbuilding and a number of other technical fields.
“People kind of have a perception of manufacturing as something that’s still very dirty, and gross, and dark,” says Funkhouser.”That is not what 21st-century manufacturing is in Sturgeon Bay.”
In addition to available good-paying technical jobs, she says starting a career in a smaller community has its benefits.
“You’re not just another number on the floor, showing up, working the grind,” explains Funkhouser. “These are family-owned companies and the people all live and work here and really care about one another.”
More than a dozen companies will be participating in the two-day event and tours will be available for free.
Additional resources and industrial maps will be available at an information tent located on the corner of Neenah Avenue and State 42 in Sturgeon Bay.
