About 40 high school students interested in manufacturing careers got a behind-the-scenes tour of Beaverton's Vernier Software & Technology on Oct. 3.
Held in recognition of National Manufacturing Day, the tour was one of many events to raise awareness of the manufacturing industry and available careers. Due to growth in the field, manufacturers estimate needing to replace 30,000 jobs over the next 10 years, according to a press release.
Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership hosted events for about 600 students statewide. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici participated in several Washington County stops, first visiting Sherwood High School's CTE labs and then joining the Vernier tour. Bonamici also hosted a roundtable discussion at Q&D Manufacturing in Hillsboro.
"It's important for students to learn about the opportunities that are available," she said. "It's a range of options that are available in manufacturing from people who are inventing products, to people who are making them, to people who are marketing them."
Located at 13979 S.W. Millikan Way, Vernier Software & Technology makes science education tools, including software, sensors and textbooks. David Vernier, a former high school physics teacher, and his wife, Christine, founded the company in 1981.
For the tour, students from Aloha High School and Beaverton Health & Science School split up into groups and checked out the company's processing and shipping rooms, design offices and warehouse. Vernier staff spoke with students about operations, products and the building's energy-efficient features, such as solar panels and electric car parking spots.
According to Vernier, the company sells to about 135 countries worldwide. In-house, Vernier designs, packages, test and ships products, though much of the large-scale manufacturing is done elsewhere.
The company has about 100 employees, ranging from engineers to those who pack and ship boxes, Vernier said.
"It's a good chance for kids to see all those different people and consider possibilities for themselves," he said.
Vernier Software & Technology won the city's 2014 Service to Beaverton award for Large Business.
In 2012, Vernier was also the first business to be approved for Beaverton's Enterprise Zone. Through the state program, businesses apply to get tax relief for committing to expand facilities and add jobs.
Construction wrapped up this summer on a two-story, 16,000-square-foot expansion, built in accordance with Enterprise Zone requirements. The expansion houses a multipurpose room, weight room and additional office space.
"We just needed more room for everybody," Vernier said. "Every single department gets a little bit more space."
The expansion also includes an upper deck which can be used for experiments, Vernier said, and a few unique design additions such as a basketball court and slide. Vernier said the company has also met requirements for job growth.
Students got a chance to zip down the slide, instead of taking the stairs, during their tour.
Health and Science sophomore Alexander Schwirian said he hopes to pursue a career in engineering. An up-close look at companies like Vernier Software & Technology can help students know their options, he said.
"It's really cool to see the people who work in the field and how they do their job," Schwirian said.
--Laura Frazier | Facebook and Twitter