The conference connected manufacturers to one another, and the career fair connected students to employers.

“The trick is always to get industry, education and students all to mesh together,” said Associate Vice President of Instruction Scott Danielson.

“The industry tells us what we need to teach, and we teach the students. We are a go between, but they need to meet each other.”

Most of the students who participated were part of the college’s automation, welding or machining departments, though some students from regional high schools attended the fair after participating in a welding competition at BTECH that morning.

Danielson said the fair is a chance for students to learn about manufacturing jobs like automation technician or machinist, which are less familiar than welding, but in higher demand.

“Those are the jobs that are open, and they are good, career-type jobs,” Danielson said. “But getting them to look in this direction is sometimes a challenge. Making them aware that these things exist and what the jobs are.”

The apparent lack of companies looking for welders was disappointing for Fremont High School student Garrett Jaques, who attended after participating in the welding competition.

Jaques said he started welding with his father in third grade and has loved it ever since. He plans to attend Western Welding Academy in Wyoming after graduating.

Fellow Fremont student Rachel Daniels said she plans to work in a machine shop while attending Utah State University. She said it was helpful to see all the different opportunities.

“I feel like even if you don’t find what you are looking for, you’re still getting exposed to this stuff, so it is still good for people,” Daniels said.

Manufacturing is one of the top industries in northern Utah, and in Cache Valley, with companies like Schreiber Foods, Casper’s Ice Cream, Spartronics and Presto Products.

Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jamie Andrus said part of the chamber’s role is to support all kinds of employers, including the valley’s many manufacturers.

Andrus said the goal of the morning conference was to bring manufacturers together so they could share the problems they are facing and see what other manufacturers are doing.

“We just feel strongly that we should support them, bring them together and help them solve their problems,” Andrus said.

The conference’s keynote speakers were representatives from Schreiber Foods and Autoliv, while representatives from Spartronics, Presto Products and Specialized Analysis Engineering made up the discussion panel.

Key topics the group discussed were struggles finding skilled employees with the desired mindset, issues with supply chains and keeping up with changing technology.

Clay Carter of Specialized Analysis Engineering said supply chains are stabilizing back to what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are still challenges and recent tariffs have made prices unstable.

The group also highlighted efforts and success in moving toward automation.

Andrus said this first conference was small, but she is thrilled with the turnout and believes it will grow in coming years.