Students get early start for future

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's not everyday students hear there are a lot of opportunities out there.

About 700 students in community colleges, high schools, and middle schools spent a few hours listening, learning, and showing off their skills, in sciences, technology, engineering, and math.

18-year-old Jariam Olivares couldn't wait to walk through the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce's Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Expo.

"All of these companies need people and they're all looking for us," Olivares, attends Naugatuck Valley Community College said.

Olivares isn't kidding. A teacher at Kennedy High School said manufacturing companies are constantly asking them to send students their way.

"I know that the workforce is slowly retiring and I'm trying to get students interested in manufacturing and take those places," Don Mancuso, a teacher at Kennedy High School said.

Like all these employers, Oliveras wants to bring back the Brass City.

"We were the capital of the world at one point and we're gonna be the future capital of the world for manufacturing," Olivares said. "My main goal is to get a Ph.D. in manufacturing and engineering."

Oliveras admits he's aiming high, but organizers say if college isn't for you, something else could very well be.

"They can get into manufacturing without a high cost education. They can come out of a manufacturing training program with wages higher than some of the degree programs," Richard Dupont of Resource Development Sources said.

If you're not in your late teens or early twenties, there's still something for you. Employers are looking for people interested in job retraining. For more information, send an email to info@waterburychamber.com