JONESBORO, Ark. – Last month Hytrol hosted 18 Northeast Arkansas educators for an immersive program to learn more about local manufacturing facilities and how best to prepare their students for careers in manufacturing. 

The Jonesboro Unlimited (JU) Industry Educators Externship was a two-day event where 18 teachers toured Hytrol and Nestle. The educators participated in hands-on activities and learned about the wide range of job opportunities for their students.

“This partnership with local educators gives us the opportunity to help them expose their students to the vast range of career opportunities available in manufacturing. Hytrol isn’t the factory of yesterday. We want students to know they can have a career here that will provide upward mobility and the lifestyle they want,” said Hytrol’s Manager of Academic Partnerships Christy Valentine. 

Valentine said that the feedback received from participating teachers has been extremely positive, and that the program helps JU’s leadership with planning future events. 

“We love to hear that kind of reaction,” said Shelle Randall, JU’s Director of Workforce Development and Existing Industry. “The experience these teachers get is quickly and directly shared with students. That can make a huge difference in what direction a student takes after high school.” 

Jonesboro Unlimited is a privately-funded economic development organization whose purpose is to create and retain jobs and to enhance the quality of life in Jonesboro. Hytrol is a JU investor and serves on JU’s Board of Directors, and is a key partner for many JU workforce development initiatives, such as its Industry Educators Externship.

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About Hytrol:

Hytrol designs and manufactures advanced conveyor systems for its customers. For more than 70 years, Hytrol has focused on creating innovative, customized conveyor solutions that help companies achieve their goals.