As the students from the Chamberlain Street School fifth grade of Rochester, NH walked off the bus and through the entrance to the Laars Heating Systems Customer Center, the Laars staff waiting for them was anxious and excited. This is not the audience they usually host and take on tours!
With a shortage of workers and declining interest in entering manufacturing and trades industries, Laars staff wholeheartedly agreed to host such a field trip.
The collective goal was to give fifth graders exposure to the different jobs available in the industry – specifically manufacturing heating systems, and the hard and soft skills needed to be successful.
Factory visit
The students were taken on a tour of the Laars Heating Systems factory and saw boilers being built in various stages from flat sheet metal to the final screws being tightened.
They saw metal fabrication, welding, robotics, and wiring. They heard about safety, peer reviews, and teamwork; that adults must continue to learn even though they are no longer in school and yes, be on time!
Creating impact
Mark Campbell, Principal at Chamberlain Street School, followed up with feedback from the students. He said, “I’ve had a huge number of students tell me that was the “coolest” field trip they’ve had and they are still talking about it a week later, including some who talked about wanting to work there when they get older.”
It was so impactful that the fifth graders who speak to the fourth graders about what to expect next year talked the most about the field trip to Laars.
“The fourth graders were so “stoked” about it; they wanted to know if they will be able to go to Laars next year.” This was the first year for such a field trip and Laars will continue to partner with Mark and others in the Rochester School System to increase interest in the trades and prepare students for the working world.
