Windsor (WBNG) – The Windsor Central School District (WCSD) added an Applied Economics in Manufacturing course to its high schools this fall.

“Cornell, along with the Alliance for Manufacturers and Technology, has contacted us about a partnership they are looking into participating in K-12 education to support workforce development. This was the perfect opportunity,” says Assistant Superintendent Scott Beattie.

Beattie said it not only meets graduation requirements, but is also being used as a tool to create a pipeline to get more students interested in the field.

“This is a non-traditional approach to economic education,” Beattie says. “We are starting slow in terms of learning some economic theory. So students can go out and explore the world of manufacturing.”

When it comes to manufacturing, Beatty said we need more community attention here in New York. “When you look at workforce development, manufacturing is one of the areas where he needs employees,” he said. “Having connections with K-12s, universities and employers to fill that void is critical.”

Overall, Beattie sees the course as a springboard to a wide range of career opportunities within the industry. “Getting in touch with hand tools, actually making a chair, understanding the economics of running a business. If they pick one of them, that’s great,” he said.

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