MT. CLEMENS, MI - The Axalta Coating Systems Mount Clemens manufacturing plant recently hosted 40 high school students from De La Salle Collegiate High School. Rosario Jason, Axalta Senior Manufacturing Engineer led the event with a focus on careers in engineering. The students attended a Paint 101 presentation and participated in a plant tour to learn first-hand how paint is produced. Students were able to get hands-on experience and hear directly from professionals in the industry that they would like to join one day. The program is part of Axalta’s initiative to motivate young people to better understand and consider careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“The trip to Axalta was an amazing opportunity for the De La Salle students who are interested in engineering careers,” said De La Salle Collegiate High School Advanced Placement Teacher, James De Haan. “The tour gave the students a chance to see and talk to engineers in their working environment. It gave the students valuable insight that will help them make decisions as they continue on to college and their careers. Overall, the Axalta field trip provided our students with an experience that they couldn't get in a classroom.”
Students not only had a chance to discuss engineering careers, but they also participated in an interactive activity making hovercrafts. “This is a great opportunity to help educate students on careers in the STEM field by offering practical illustrations of how diverse and interesting such careers can be,” stated Jason.