Henderson, KY. (October 23, 2026) – Six local manufacturers opened their doors to more than 100 students and educators to tour their facilities this week.
Manufacturing Academy – a daylong professional development event for students to help bridge the gap between manufacturing careers and the classroom was held on Thursday.
Henderson Economic Development facilitated Manufacturing Academy in collaboration with Henderson County Schools and six existing industries.
Allstate Tower, Audubon Metals, Norsk Hydro, Pittsburg Tank and Tower, Pratt Paper Corrugator, and Pratt Paper Mill hosted more than 100 students and educators from the Henderson County High School Career and Technical Education Unit for presentations on future job opportunities and tours of their facilities.
“The Manufacturing Academy is a great example of how industry and education can come together to create opportunities for our students,” said JT Payne, Assistant Principal of the Henderson County High School Career and Technical Education Unit. “Our goal is for 100% of HCHS graduates to have the access and skills for a high-wage lifelong career in Henderson County.”
As participants toured the facilities, they focused on observing the skills required for entry-level and advanced roles and how their classroom education directly applies to their chosen pathway. Students will gain a better understanding of the varying levels of complexity of the tasks performed at the worksite.
Building the bridge between skill-based and knowledge-based education promotes the goal of preparing students for both college and careers.
“Allowing students to see inside manufacturing facilities helps to give them a better understanding of career opportunities in their areas of interest, said Missy Vanderpool, Executive Director of Henderson Economic Development. “The manufacturing industry in Henderson, KY is top-notch. Our existing industries’ dedication to creating a positive workplace environment that the students are excited to tour each year is a testament to the quality of our community’s workforce development standard.”
In Henderson, 4,841 people are employed in manufacturing, making an average salary of $78,866 per year. This industry offers numerous pathways to success, with the potential for high pay and a lifelong career. Opportunities include, but aren’t limited to, robotics, welding, engineering, machine operators, administrators, and more. The key is bringing awareness to careers in the workforce.
After the tours concluded, students, teachers, and industry leaders attended the first Manufacturing Academy Summit, where students could ask questions and gain valuable insights from employee panels made up of administrators, HR, and recent high school graduates.
“It was great,” said Riley Harper, a Henderson County High School Sophomore in the Welding pathway. “We got to see so many cool things, and so many different experiences that we hadn’t seen before. It was overall just a great day.”
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