In 2012 the Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) launched a marketing campaign, Careers in 2 Years (CI2Y). This campaign is designed to target middle and high school aged students and their parents to consider career and technology school as a viable option for their future. This year, GREP launched Careers in 2 Years 2.0, targeting returning veterans and underemployed/unemployed individuals to promote retraining or additional training for a technical career. The focus for both targeted groups is to qualify more individuals for high-paying manufacturing jobs immediately available in Berks County and throughout all of Pennsylvania.

The Careers in 2 Years campaign focuses on high priority occupations in Berks County, and these careers include applied manufacturing, information technology, mechatronics engineering technology, drafting and machining.

The goal of this campaign is to increase awareness and get more people through a technical training pipeline so they are prepared to obtain existing, good-paying jobs in Greater Reading. We invite you to learn more about these career opportunities at the 2015 Berks Manufacturing Day!

Manufacturing Day is a nationwide event, which aims to bring awareness to training and careers in the manufacturing industry. Through its Careers in 2 Years initiative, Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) is participating in the nationwide event by hosting Berks Manufacturing Day on Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Berks Manufacturing Day is a two-part event open to families and individuals of all ages. The day will begin at the Reading Area Community College — Schmidt Training and Technology Center (RACC STTC) where participants will have the opportunity to meet representatives from local companies and training facilities. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour Greater Reading manufacturing facilities and hear from employees about their experience in manufacturing. The companies that will be offering tours include:

• American Crane

• Brentwood Industries

• Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC

• East Penn Manufacturing

• Remcon Plastics

Those who register for Berks Manufacturing Day can choose their preferred tour route. East Penn Manufacturing will be on one tour route. American Crane and Brentwood will be on a second tour route together. The third tour route will include Cambridge-Lee and Remcon Plastics. Tour buses will be leaving Schmidt Training and Technology Center (STTC) no later than 9:15 a.m. and will return around noon. Registrants must arrive at the STTC before going on the tours.

Registration for Berks Manufacturing Day is free and open to the public.

Important information for Berks Manufacturing Day:

• Registration is required for facility tours. To register for Berks Manufacturing Day please visit careersin2years.com/berks.

• Closed shoes are required for facility tours.

• Adult supervision is required for individuals 17 and under.

• Up to 4 guests per registrant.

Registration will close Saturday, September 19. For more information, please visit careersin2years.com/berks or call the Greater Reading Economic Partnership offices at 610.376.4237 and ask for Deb Heffner.

About Greater Reading Economic Partnership

Greater Reading Economic Partnership’s mission is to lead regional efforts to attract, retain, and grow business and to market Berks County as a competitive and attractive location for business. For further information, visit GreaterReading.com. GREP is one of 42 economic development organizations out of over 4,500 worldwide to receive accreditation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Contact info: Jon@GreaterReading.com or 610.376.4237.