Think Manufacturing Career Expo 2026: Connecting Students With Their Future in Manufacturing
What if the next generation of manufacturing professionals could see their future before they even graduate high school? That is the idea behind the Think Manufacturing Career Expo, an event designed to connect Lake County students with local manufacturers and introduce young people to the exciting career opportunities available right here in our community.
On October 1, 2026, from 8:30 AM to noon, the Lake County Chambers and the AWT Foundation will host the 13th Annual Lake County Think Manufacturing Expo at Perry High School. The event brings students, educators, and manufacturers together for a morning focused on discovering careers, building connections, and seeing what a future in manufacturing can look like.
More Than a Career Fair
The Think Manufacturing Expo gives students an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with the people who are actually working in today’s manufacturing industry. Participating manufacturers can introduce students to a wide range of career possibilities, including entry-level positions, internships, part-time opportunities, and long-term career paths. Students can learn firsthand about the skills employers are looking for, the technology used in modern manufacturing, and the opportunities available after high school. For many students, that personal connection can make all the difference.
Manufacturing Has Changed and So Have the Opportunities
When people hear the word “manufacturing,” they may picture traditional factory jobs. Today’s manufacturing industry tells a very different story. Modern manufacturers rely on technology, automation, engineering, skilled trades, problem-solving, logistics, quality control, and many other specialized skills. The Think Manufacturing Expo gives students a chance to explore these possibilities and learn about high-tech careers they may not have considered before. And importantly, students don’t necessarily have to follow a traditional four-year college path to build a rewarding career. Manufacturing can provide opportunities to learn valuable skills, gain experience, advance professionally, and build a career close to home.
Bringing Students and Local Employers Together
One of the Expo’s greatest strengths is its focus on relationships. The event was created to strengthen connections between Lake County schools and local manufacturers while helping students understand the career opportunities available within the region. Manufacturers, educators, counselors, and students all play an important role in that conversation.
For employers, the Expo is an opportunity to meet the next generation of potential employees. For educators, it provides a way to help students explore career options beyond the traditional college route. And for students, it is a chance to ask questions and discover possibilities they may never have encountered otherwise.
Investing in the Future of Lake County
Events like the Think Manufacturing Career Expo are important because workforce development starts long before someone submits a job application. By introducing students to local employers while they are still in high school, the Expo helps young people make informed decisions about their futures while giving manufacturers an opportunity to invest in the next generation of talent. It’s a win for students. It’s a win for employers. And it’s a win for the entire Lake County community.
Discover Your Future in Manufacturing
The 2026 Think Manufacturing Career Expo will take place October 1 at Perry High School, from 8:30 AM to noon. Whether you’re a student curious about your options after high school, an educator looking for career resources, or a manufacturer interested in connecting with tomorrow’s workforce, the Think Manufacturing Career Expo offers an opportunity to start a conversation that could shape a career.
Learn more at thinkmfgexpo.com or register here as a manufacturer or educator.