By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com
Last year was the first for Made in Franklin, but with it deemed a rousing success by all those involved, it certainly won’t be the last. In fact, Made in Franklin 2015 is right around the corner, and now is the time for interested industries to sign up to exhibit.

“We got a lot of really positive feedback,” said Franklin County Development Authority Assistant Director Sherye Price. “The industries all seemed really impressed with it, and the school was as well.”

Last year, Price said, 13 industries participated. This year, she would love to have more – at least half of the industries in the county.

“It was educational, I think, on both sides – seeing my future workforce,” said Rachel Boyd, human resources manager for Gates Corporation, one the industries that participated last year. “This year is going to be bigger and better.”

For industries that are considering exhibiting at this year’s Made in Franklin, Boyd recommended they should “definitely jump in with both feet and become a part of this.”

“The future is in our hands,” she said. “We can help grow and develop out future. It’s a competitive world out there, and we need to meet our future workforce and introduce ourselves to them.”

Made in Franklin is scheduled for Nov. 4-5 in the Russellville Middle School gym.

Industries will be showcasing their products, positions and skills needed to hold those positions. Exhibitors may also want to include hands-on items, if possible, to encourage participation from students.

Juniors and seniors from the Franklin County Schools and Russellville City Schools will attend in groups on each morning.  Bobby Jon Drinkard, from Alabama Industrial Development Training and CBS’s reality show Survivor will speak to the students before they tour the expo floor.

New this year, Nov. 4, from 4-6 p.m., the expo will be open to the public for a Job Fair and tours. During this time, the Alabama Career Center will be available to assist with resume and interview tips.

“People don’t know jobs that are available in the county,” said Mitch Mays, FCDA executive director. “This might be a good opportunity for them to do that.”

“Even people who have lived here for years have no idea what some of these industries do,” Price added.

“Jobs are available in Franklin County,” Mays pointed out. “Our unemployment is the lowest in northwest Alabama.” He encouraged everyone to open house portion of th event. “We have some great companies in Franklin County … not only are they good corporate citizens, but they employ thousands of Franklin County citizens.

Scott Wiginton, Career Technical Center principal, said the Made in Franklin event is a great opportunity for the students.

“The training we have here at the career center prepares a lot of students for leaving high school and going directly to work,” Wiginton said. He pointed out that credentialing and certifications students are able to achieve through vocational education tracks make them highly desirable employees to local industries.

Multiple participation levels are available to industries and potential sponsors to help make this event successful. Exhibitors and sponsors must have their application forms turned in by Oct. 13. Sponsors will have the option of having their business featured on T-shirts for the students and on on-site banners. For more information or to sign up, email sprice@franklineda.com or call 256-332