Dream it. Do it. program kicks off

Annual competition promotes manufacturing careers for students

Oak Ridge, Tenn.— From producing boat accessories to automobile parts, careers in manufacturing are exciting and widely available in the East Tennessee region. To inform local middle school students of these opportunities, the Anderson County Chamber, Anderson County and Campbell County schools, and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) recently kicked off the annual Dream it. Do it. competition at Junior Achievement of East Tennessee.

The competition pairs area industries with middle schools to enable students to learn more about careers in manufacturing. CNS, the managing and operating contractor for the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, has helped facilitate and sponsor the competition for nine years.

“We’ve expanded the program this year to include Campbell County Schools,” said Kristin Waldschlager, education outreach specialist for Y-12. “We have also added two new industry partners, GEON and Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of these new collaborations.”

Local industries are vital

CNS sponsors Dream it. Do it. as one of multiple efforts to help develop the future workforce and make them aware of local opportunities, including the potential to work at Y-12 and contribute to the site’s mission, which helps ensure the security of our nation and its allies.

“There are many great career possibilities in manufacturing in this area,” said Gene Patterson, community relations advisor for Y-12. “Of course, we hope that some of you will come to work with us.”

“There are many opportunities in manufacturing at Y-12 and across the area,” said Anderson County Chamber President Rick Meredith. “There is no better way for students to learn about careers than from those working in the industry. We appreciate CNS for helping us with this initiative that allows middle school students to explore careers in advanced manufacturing, and we appreciate the local industries who make this amazing opportunity possible.”

Industry-school pairings announced

At the kickoff, the following industry-school pairs were announced:

• Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee and LaFollette Middle School,
• Eagle Bend Manufacturing and Jacksboro Middle School,
• Clayton Homes of Appalachia and Norris Middle School,
• GEON and Norwood Middle School,
• Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge and Jefferson Middle School,
• Protomet Corporation and Clinton Middle School,
• SL TN and Robertsville and Jellico Middle Schools, and
• Techmer PM and Lake City Middle School.

The student teams will learn about their industry partner and produce a short video that explains “What’s So Cool about Manufacturing.” The winning entries will receive money to fund science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities at their schools. In April, the public will be able to vote for their favorite video to determine the Peoples’ Choice Awards.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Kathryn King, APR
Communications
Office (865) 315.5996
Kathryn.King@pxy12.doe.gov

Protomet Corporation’s industry representative talks with members of the Clinton Middle School team.

LaFollette Middle School students interact with representatives from Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee

Representatives from the Anderson County Chamber, Anderson County and Campbell County schools, Y 12 National Security Complex, and local industries participated in the kick-off for Dream it. Do it.