Manufacturers in York County Welcome Students and the Next Generation of Employees

High school students from across York County, Nebraska, toured local manufacturing facilities on Friday, October 2, to learn more about the companies that operate in the region. This program is designed to highlight the diversity of manufacturing roles and the opportunities found in York County.

“Our local manufacturing companies need people with all kinds of skills and education levels,” says Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of the York County Development Corporation (YCDC). “They are looking for several types of engineers, agricultural enthusiasts, accountants, marketers, and managers, just to name a few positions.”

When students see exciting career futures in York County, they are more likely to stay in the community after graduation. This makes hiring easier for manufacturing firms, while also creating a diverse local economy. 

Students Toured Three Local Manufacturing Companies

Students who participated in the manufacturing tours had the option to visit three different businesses. The tour is designed to showcase how diverse manufacturing can be and the various roles needed to keep these facilities running. The on-site visits also allowed for a more immersive experience than meeting with representatives at local career fairs.

The three participating manufacturers this year were:

• Cyclonaire, which sells conveyance solutions for battery, rubber, rail, mineral, and cement production facilities.
• Klute, Inc., which produces substation and transmission line projects for the electrical utility industry.
• Pellet Technology USA, which manufactures animal feed for cow-calf producers.

Students were encouraged to ask questions throughout the tours, helping them develop a deeper understanding of each company's product line. Some of these companies are looking for high school and college students to join their internship programs, while others are ready to hire recent graduates. A manufacturing tour could turn into a lasting career for some of these students.

Several employees at all three companies shared their career path stories and how there is movement opportunities within the field itself.

The event included approximately 55–60 students, 45-50 from York High School and 10 from Heartland Community Schools. Additional attendees included school chaperones, YCDC staff, and several YCDC board members.

The Tours Were Paired With Resources and Discussions

While the manufacturing tours are part of a single-day event, YCDC and the local school district are working to ensure career conversations continue throughout Manufacturing Month and the rest of the year.

This year, YCDC created a booklet with company information, career opportunities, and contact details for students to keep. This way, students can refer to the information if they want to reach out to potential employers or to learn more about the companies they visited.

Then, on October 16, local manufacturing companies will visit York High School, McCool Junction Public School, and Heartland Community Schools. The goal is to bring local manufacturing professionals into schools and foster deeper conversations about their work. YCDC also hopes this event connects what students learn in school to their future careers, essentially answering the question, “When will we ever use this?”

The October 17-County podcasts will also focus on manufacturing, with new episodes on October 15 and 30. 

40 Manufacturers Operate in York County

Manufacturing has a significant impact across York County and the state of Nebraska. There are 40 firms operating here, ranging from major enterprises to small businesses. It is the largest employment sector in the county, representing 13.4% of jobs. As of 2024, 987 York County residents are employed in manufacturing. Statewide, manufacturing is the second-largest industry in Nebraska, exporting $6 billion in goods.

Manufacturing is also a high-earning industry for people seeking lasting, well-paying careers. The average annual salary is $53,527. This high wage, when paired with the local low cost of living, makes manufacturing a desirable industry and York County a wonderful place to live.

Companies choose York County for their manufacturing operations because of its excellent location. It’s in the heart of the country, so businesses can reach either coast, Canada, or Mexico in about the same amount of time. This is ideal for national and international businesses that need to ship their products to hundreds of customers.

Manufacturers and employees benefit from each other in York County, which is why the local community is strong and the future is bright – for the current generation of workers and the next. 

Learn More About the York County Economy 

Manufacturing is an essential part of York County, but it is still only one part of the greater economy. Learn more about the businesses and industries that thrive here. Get to know our residents and what it's like to live here. You might see a future for yourself in Nebraska and understand why so many people choose to call it home.

To learn more about economic development in York County, contact YCDC. We are happy to talk about local businesses, our residents, and the community at large.