College of the Canyons Hosted Manufacturing Day
The event connected local students with manufacturing training pathways to address industry workforce needs.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Manufacturing
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College of the Canyons hosted its annual Manufacturing Day at the Advanced Technology Center, drawing over 300 Hart District students. The program provided hands-on exposure to technical pathways designed to prepare participants for entry-level manufacturing roles.
Why it matters
Local manufacturers face ongoing pressure to cultivate a skilled labor pipeline, making direct school-to-industry engagement critical for long-term workforce readiness. The event connects high schoolers with credentials that lead directly into technical manufacturing careers.
Over 300 students engaged with 13,500 square feet of training space during the event. The college currently manages two distinct manufacturing pathways, Tooling and Milling and Robotic Welding Automation, to align student skills with industry demand.
The players
College of the Canyons
A public community college in Santa Clarita that provides academic and vocational training.
Northrop Grumman
A global aerospace and defense technology company with significant manufacturing operations.
Lockheed Martin
An aerospace and defense firm that provides resources and advanced technical expertise for training.
The details
The Advanced Technology Center utilizes four specialized stations including robotics, mill and lathe, calculator workshops, and virtual welding to simulate industrial work environments. Industry leaders from Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin supported the curriculum by providing technology insight and guidance. Instructors led participants through the specific procedures required to earn industry-recognized credentials.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: College of the Canyons hosted Manufacturing Day.
Market Landscape
The event reflects a broader trend of regional colleges aligning vocational training with the specific requirements of aerospace and defense contractors. It follows the established pattern of industry-led curriculum development to secure a local talent pipeline.
Local operators should evaluate if their current hiring processes align with these emerging high school-to-workforce pathways. Owners may benefit from reviewing upcoming internship and credentialing programs to secure early access to certified labor.
The takeaway
Workforce readiness initiatives are increasingly relying on direct partnerships with major aerospace firms to validate training curriculum. Operators should track the expansion of the Valencia Campus project as a signal of local training capacity growth.
Further reading
For more on industry training trends, see Manufacturing.
More information
View the facility capabilities and program details on the Advanced Technology Center website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hometown Station | KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220.
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Do you believe local schools provide enough hands-on training for students entering the manufacturing workforce?
