Over 5,000 students have participated in the annual event since 2019
press release
Batavia, NY – GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing hosted more than 1,000 students from 30 GLOW area school districts at the Genesee County Fairgrounds for a day-long, hands-on workforce event.
Students from school districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties will use the event to network with employers and explore careers that could uncover new opportunities they may not have considered before.
Geneseo High School sophomore Cheyenne Sargent participated in GLOW With Your Hands after watching many of her older classmates experience the interactive environment at previous events.
“It was so inspiring to see the number of companies and representatives who were so eager to share their professional experiences with us. Many students don’t know what career they want to pursue and this activity helped them see what the companies in the community are like,” Sargent said.
More than 70 companies offered hands-on activities and simulations in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades and various branches of the military. Students learned about local job opportunities that offer high-paying opportunities immediately after high school graduation, as well as short-term training programs available in the area.
Reece Tanner, Liam Burger, and Owen Bentley, seniors at Notre Dame High School
“We’ve seen GLOW With Your Hands attendees achieve professional success and companies who attend our manufacturing and healthcare events develop the next generation. The attendance of more than 1,000 students and a record number of employers at our event proves once again that there is a great need for these connections and that our event creates great benefit,” added Karyn Winters, co-chair of GLOW With Your Hands.
Led by platinum sponsors LandPro Equipment and National Grid and new sponsor Davis-Fetch, many companies including representatives from advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing and construction have participated in GLOW With Your Hands every time since 2019.
Davis-Fetch specializes in commercial building construction services, focusing on constructing interior spaces, walls, ceilings, and acoustic wall panels. This was the company’s first GLOW With Your Hands event, which included demonstrations on installing drywall screws and using a drywall zip tool around an electrical box. Davis-Fetch used it as an opportunity to engage with the next generation of workforce candidates in the GLOW region.
“Rather than setting up a booth and talking to students, we were able to engage with the next generation of workforce candidates with a hands-on approach that was educational and informative about our work,” said Frank Kittlinger, president of Davis Fetch. “We saw over 1,000 students participate today and we look forward to participating in GLOW With Your Hands every year.”
Launched in 2019 with 800 students, GLOW With Your Hands has grown to become the region’s premier workforce development program. More than 5,000 students have participated in GLOW With Your Hands events since 2019, including GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare, a hands-on healthcare careers program held each March.
“Our goal is to provide local youth with job opportunities that will enable them to support their families, achieve fulfilling lifestyles and make a positive impact in their community,” said Angela Glaus, co-chair of GLOW With Your Hands. “By gaining hands-on experience and information, our students are taking their first steps toward that goal.”
Albion High School senior Joseph Schoberlein said until today he wasn’t aware of many of the jobs featured on GLOW With Your Hands, but now he understands what opportunities may be available to him after he graduates this spring.
“Some of the jobs that people learn about in GLOW With Your Hands are jobs that they wouldn’t get in a traditional classroom. Many of these jobs don’t require a college degree. They can get a high-paying job right out of high school without having to go to college,” said Schoberlien.
