🚀⚙️🧠 BCS students shared an unforgettable experience last week as they dove into the world of advanced manufacturing at GE Aerospace’s Manufacturing Day.
High schoolers from across the county toured GE’s Asheville facility, heard from industry leaders, and worked through several STEM challenge stations. From designing and flying paper airplanes to racing through envelope-stuffing relays and even mastering shirt-folding techniques, every station highlighted the skills that power modern manufacturing.
“Whether you're interested in coding, robotics, engineering, writing, or leading people, there’s a place for you in this industry,” said Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Amanda Edwards.
Held in partnership with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Asheville City Schools, and Buncombe County Schools, this annual event welcomed 120 students from traditional BCS high schools (A.C. Reynolds, Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, Owen, and T.C. Roberson), Buncombe County Early College, and Nesbitt Discovery Academy. Asheville High and SILSA also joined in, bringing the total to around 150 students ready to see what manufacturing looks like in 2025 and beyond.
“Manufacturing Day plays a crucial role in shaping the future career paths of high schoolers by directly addressing misconceptions and opening doors to modern manufacturing,” said BCS Career and Technical Education Director Michele Smith. “It shatters outdated stereotypes, revealing the industry's high-tech, innovative nature, and exposes students to diverse, well-paying career opportunities within STEM and related fields. Crucially, it helps bridge the skills gap by connecting students with potential employers, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of STEM education for future manufacturing jobs. Through plant tours and hands-on activities, students gain invaluable real-world insights, ultimately inspiring them to consider fulfilling and impactful careers in this dynamic sector.”