A joint effort between several local businesses, the Northwest Industrial Resource Center in Erie and the Warren County School District aims to expose county elementary and middle school students to manufacturing careers.

It’s called “Passport to Manufacturing Day” and it’s open for students in grades three to eight, according to WCSD Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Eric Mineweaser.

The event is set for Saturday, April 13.

“This event involves students obtaining a ‘passport’ during their first visit to any of the three local manufacturers,” he explained. “They are to travel to each manufacturer and complete a tour of all three local manufacturers between the hours of 9 a.m. and end no later than 11:45 a.m.”

Since the event is on a Saturday, parents will have to be responsible for transportation.

Mineweaser said that there will be free lunch, tours and the drop off for location for the passport between 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. at the Warren County Career Center.

“Students who attended/toured all three local businesses will be entered into prize drawings which includes items such as an XBOX, Airpods, Drone, Sphero, and 3D-Pen,” he said.

Students must be present to win and the prizes will be drawn at 12:45 p.m.

Registration is open through early next month at https://forms.gle/F9UMJzxNjovbvy5s9.

Mineweaser called the event an “excellent event and opportunity” for students.

“This will allow them to see and tour our local manufacturers, as well as the opportunity to win some great prizes,” he said.