On Thursday, September 11, a group of seniors from Gateway Academy—representing both Christian County High School and Hopkinsville High School—had the incredible opportunity to tour Metalsa, one of Christian County’s largest and most innovative employers. This visit was part of the IGNITE program, a partnership between Christian County Public Schools and the South West Kentucky Economic Development Council (SWKEDC).
IGNITE is designed to open students’ eyes to the wide range of opportunities available right here in our own community. Whether they plan to go straight into the workforce, attend college while working part-time, or pursue a four-year degree, the program shows students that Christian County is “home” to world-class industries and careers. Our region produces the GMC truck frames seen on roads across the country, the chemical that makes McDonald’s cups clear, the flour that goes into McDonald’s biscuits, the bubble wrap that protects packages, and even the cardboard trays used for tacos. These real-world connections help students see that their futures don’t have to take them far from home to find meaningful and impactful careers.
At Metalsa, students in the engineering, industrial maintenance, and automotive pathways were able to observe robotic welders at work, see the advanced safety features that protect employees, and learn how the company continues to drive innovation in automotive chassis solutions. More than just a tour, the experience gave students a glimpse into the high-demand careers that require skilled tradespeople, engineers, safety specialists, and problem-solvers—all careers that start with strong preparation in programs like theirs.
We are deeply thankful to Rebecca and her team at Metalsa for opening their doors to our students and sharing the exciting work happening inside their facility. A special thank-you also goes to Tony Prim at SWKEDC for coordinating these opportunities and helping our students see what’s possible in Christian County.
These experiences matter. They show students that their classroom learning connects directly to real industries, and they give them the chance to imagine themselves as part of Christian County’s workforce of tomorrow.
✨ If you or your business would like to partner with IGNITE or FUSION Work-Based Learning to support students and grow the future workforce of Christian County, please reach out to me at Kelly.Gates@christian.kyschools.us. We would love to feature your partnership and the difference you’re making for our students.
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