Local manufacturers host manufacturing month plant tours for students

SPACE COAST, Fla. (October 30, 2019) – In celebration of Manufacturing Month 2019, four Brevard County manufacturers opened their doors to a dozen students from the Certified Production Technician (CPT) program overseen by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC). The tours are part of a comprehensive effort to inspire and train the next generation of production workers by showcasing the outstanding opportunities and current realities of high-tech manufacturing careers.

The companies are: Mack Technologies, Merritt Island Boat Works, United Space Coast Cables (USSC), and Sun Nuclear Corporation.

“In Brevard County, more than 500 manufacturers employ more than 23,000 people with wages typically 22% higher than the national average and that demand is only projected to grow,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda Weatherman. “These innovative manufacturers are to be commended for helping to motivate our CPT students by exposing them to the many rewarding manufacturing careers available here on the Space Coast.”

“Along with the significant growth of the manufacturing sector here in Brevard County, there is a growing demand for highly-skilled professionals who can design, program and operate technology,” said Jackie Carnahan of Mack Technologies. “We’re thrilled to expose the CPT students to the possibilities available in their own backyard.”

“Within the next few years, there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers. In order to fill those jobs, we’re here to showcase high-wage jobs that can support families and communities and grow our economy,” said Jonathan Gutierrez, Executive Vice President of Merritt Island Boat Works.

“There is a shortage of talent in the manufacturing sector throughout the Space Coast, especially with small businesses,” said Kalen Krim, President of USCC. “The EDC’s CPT program is a valuable resource to companies like USCC, which connects us with employee candidates who are motivated to work in manufacturing and have a proven ability to learn.”

Manufacturing Month is an annual national event executed with the support of thousands of manufacturers across the country as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase today’s advanced manufacturing technology and high-wage career opportunities. In Florida, the average annual wage in manufacturing is over $60K, and the number and types of jobs available continues to increase.

Additional manufacturing month events in the Space Coast region include other plant tours, open houses with select manufacturers and a county proclamation which was presented October 22nd at the Viera Government Center by Chair of the Brevard County Commission, Kristine Isnardi. To mark the event at a state level, Governor DeSantis declared October as Manufacturing Month in Florida by issuing a proclamation on September 26, 2019.

Manufacturing Month is co-produced by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Manufacturing Institute (MI) and is supported by The EDC’s Manufacturing Association of the Space Coast (MASC) and FloridaMakes.

More information on Manufacturing Day is available at www.mfgday.com.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.

About Mack Technologies
Mack Technologies is a leading provider of complex contract manufacturing services including printed circuit board assembly, electromechanical assembly and full system assembly. Mack provides manufacturing solutions for original equipment manufacturers in the defense and aerospace, medical devices, communications, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, the company also operates facilities in Melbourne, Florida, and Juárez, México. For further information, visit www.MackTech.com.

About Merritt Island Boat Works
Merritt Island Boat Works, based in Merritt Island, designs and manufacturers Ocean Alexander Yachts and employs over 170 employees locally. For more information, visit www.MerrittIslandBoatWorks.com.

About Sun Nuclear
Sun Nuclear, based in Melbourne, designs and manufacturers cancer treatment medical devices sold worldwide and employs over 200 employees locally. They are the worldwide leader in development and manufacture of radiation measurement instrumentation and software. Gammex, a leader in diagnostic imaging QA, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Nuclear. For more information, visit www.SunNuclear.com.

About United Space Coast Cables
USCC (United Space Coast Cables, Inc.) specializes in the manufacturing of low volume/high mix complex cable harnesses & cable assemblies in support of a wide spectrum of military, medical and industrial markets. For more information, visit www.UnitedSCC.com.