Connecting Orange County Students with Real-World Innovation:
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – November – More than 300 students from Orange County schools explored the future of high-tech manufacturing this month through Vital Link’s Manufacturing Month, an initiative supported by the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program and its BuildSubmarines.com workforce campaign.x
This expansive program, which grew from a single-day event to a month of activities involving over 10 companies and colleges in 30 days, was made possible through BuildSubmarines.com, a national initiative of the MIB Program that helps connect Americans to skilled careers that support the Navy’s submarine and shipbuilding workforce. With their support, critical needs like transportation and meals were provided, allowing more than 300 students to participate and learn firsthand about career opportunities in today’s manufacturing industries.
“The Maritime Industrial Base Program is committed to showing students that the future of American shipbuilding and manufacturing is both high-tech and high-purpose,” said Clinton Schuhart, Maritime Industrial Base Program Workforce Development Lead for California and Hawaii. “Supporting programs like Vital Link’s Manufacturing Month helps to connect the next generation with long-term career paths that build our Navy, strengthen our communities, and sustain the skilled workforce our nation depends on.”
Schuhart noted that events like this are key to the Navy’s long-term effort to recruit and train more than 250,000 skilled workers needed to build and maintain submarines and surface ships. Exposing students early and often to opportunities in the shipbuilding industry through learning, activities, and engagement has been a key tenet of the MIB’s mission.
A Deep Dive into High-Demand Careers
Students from various school districts were given unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to explore cutting-edge manufacturing facilities. Through on-site tours and Q&A sessions, they gained a profound understanding of the diverse and rewarding career paths available, dispelling outdated notions of factory work.
Camilo, the Lead Coordinator for Vital Link, noted, "Manufacturing Month is important because many students don’t know how broad and dynamic the world of manufacturing really is. The industry offers a wide range of career paths, from engineers and welders to logistics, business, and administrative roles that many students have never been exposed to." Students toured facilities at industry leaders like Johnson & Johnson, Ricurate Precision, Motvio, Taber Company, and more. These companies held panel sessions, showcased varied backgrounds and educational paths, helping students see multiple ways to enter and grow within fields like CNC machining, welding, and additive manufacturing. The journey also included tours of college campuses, including Cal State Fullerton (CSUF), Santa Ana College, Saddleback College, and Cal Baptist University, where students learned about specialized courses and accessing tuition aid.
Industry Leaders Investing in Tomorrow
The success of the program highlights the deep commitment of Vital Link’s partners, who generously dedicated their time to guide and inspire.
“We are passionate about what we do and take pride in showcasing all that is involved in the contract manufacturing of precision-machined components," said the President of Ricaurte Precision, Hernan Ricaurte. "Opening our doors allows students to see firsthand how innovation, precision, and teamwork come together. Anything we can do to inspire the next generation of manufacturing leaders is a worthwhile endeavor."
The students' interest grew significantly as the tour progressed. They engaged the workers with specific questions, inquiring about their career paths, educational backgrounds, and compensation. A student commented, "I learned how the manufacturing world truly operates, discovering a surprising amount of collaboration, passion, and teamwork involved.”
Vital Link is proud to be a catalyst in shaping the futures of these students. By intentionally connecting classroom theory with immersive, real-world industry experiences, they are ensuring that the next generation of Orange County talent is not only prepared but genuinely excited to lead the future of innovation and manufacturing.
Special Thank You to:
Sponsor: BuildSubmarines.com
Partners: Ricaurte Precision, Taber Company, M&R Engineering, Motivo, Dot Corp, Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics (SEDA), Yakult, Cambro, Cal State University Fullerton, Santa Ana College, Saddleback College, and Cal Baptist University.
About Vital Link: Vital Link is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing students for their future careers through experiential learning opportunities. We offer programs that introduce students to the world of robotics, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, computer programming, and more. Through these hands-on programs, we inspire students to feel confident and excited to pursue a fulfilling career. See More at Vitallink.org
About BuildSubmarines.com
BuildSubmarines.com is the national platform created to help people find careers in maritime manufacturing- the skilled work that powers the Navy’s next generation of ships and submarines. Powered in part by ZipRecruiter, the site connects candidates with thousands of job opportunities and advanced training available through career profiles. BuildSubmarines.com also partners with government, industry, and educational institutions to highlight the critical need for skilled labor workers and the roles they play in supporting the U.S. Navy’s national defense efforts. For more information, visit www.BuildSubmarines.com.
