19-02-2025
Skilled Workforce: Port Erie Plastics
Preparing the next generation of skilled workers — That's the role of Erie High School's Career and Technical program.
Two senior Erie High students are currently working co-op at a Harborcreek company.
Port Erie Plastics offers high-quality plastic fabrication services. They manufacture a variety of products from storage units for the food industry, to temporary flooring, and water pipes for home and commercial buildings.
With over 400 employees, Port Erie currently provides on-the-job training to Erie High career tech machining students.
'We have two students who come here every week to work with our experienced toolmakers and hopefully be the next generation coming in and taking over for that team,' according to Heather Evans, Human Resource manager.
One of them is Daniel Miller, working at Port Erie during his senior year, continuing a family tradition. He said, 'My dad's a machinist. He's been all over the place in Erie. It always inspired me. He'd always come home and tell me stories.'
Miller added, 'So, I got like, I wanted to do it so when I went to Erie High I figured I could do machining trade, so then I chose it, and it led me here.'
Another Erie High student at Port Erie is a guy everyone calls Knobby. Nawid Ullahqudiri is Afghan and came to Erie a few years ago. He appreciates his Erie High machine training and the opportunity to operate machines at Port Erie. He likes the work and says it's interesting and fun!
Jason Campbell graduated from Erie High five years ago and is progressing in his manufacturing career. He's currently an apprentice in the tool and die program. He said, ' I came from being an operator for CNC. Pays decent. But then once you get advanced you start like, tool and die making, I'm doing an apprentice right now, and they make a lot of money.'
Working co-op is a win-win for students and the company. Evans says there's lots of opportunity in this industry. 'I hope young students realize there's a lot in Erie to do. And they just have to get out there.' She suggested students, go do the job shadows your school offers. Do a co-op. Talk to different professionals or your neighbors and learn what's out there. I think people miss there are great careers in Erie that you can have for your life.
To learn more about the opportunities at Port Erie Plastics, go here.
For ideas on other local manufacturing opportunities, look here.
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