Career Exploration Summer Camps at FWD Center Offer High-tech, Hands-on Experiences to Middle/High School Students
June 20, 2023
Events aim to bridge workforce skills gaps impacting the Finger Lakes region
Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center will host a series of summer camps that offer high-tech, hands-on career exploration experiences in various fields – including augmented reality/virtual reality, construction and robotics – for middle and high school students. The purpose of the camps is for students to become familiar with technology-oriented skills valued by employers and in-demand career opportunities available in the region. The persistent issue for employers across the Finger Lakes region – especially those in science, technology, engineering, math and health fields – is a shortage of qualified workers.
The FWD Center is housed on the fifth and sixth floors of Monroe Community College’s Downtown Campus, 321 State St. in Rochester.
- June 26-29 Career Exploration Camp
During this two-day camp, participants try their hand at different occupations in virtual/simulated environments across career clusters in advanced manufacturing, skilled trades and automotive technology. They explore matching their talents and interests to potential career pathways that are a good fit. Students also walk through a virtual career fair that enables them to interact with local business professionals, informs their high school course selections, and prepares them for life after high school graduation. The camp is supported through funds from the precollegiate Liberty Partnerships Program.
A high school student spells a name using a robot during a 2022 summer camp in the FWD Center.
- July 10-25 FANUC Robotics Handling Tool Operation and Programming
This 11-session camp teaches participants to set up and program a FANUC robot ─ tasks that an operator technician, engineer or programmer in the field regularly performs on the job. The camp combines online learning and on-site, hands-on lab experiences. The camp is supported through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
- Aug. 7-11 Camp Hard Hat
This weeklong day camp offers youths ages 12 to 15 an opportunity to participate in a community-based construction project. Participants learn the fundamentals of construction, design, project safety, and proper use of tools from certified instructors while creating something for the community. The camp is sponsored by Livingston Associates and supported through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.