Chrisxavier Cease, a junior at Abilene High School, gets hands-on experience using a welding simulator Wednesday at Great Plains Manufacturing's inaugural Manufacturing Day. [ALLEIGH WEEMS / SALINA JOURNAL]

Chrisxavier Cease, a junior at Abilene High School, gets hands-on experience using a welding simulator Wednesday at Great Plains Manufacturing’s inaugural Manufacturing Day. [ALLEIGH WEEMS / SALINA JOURNAL]

Ellsworth High School junior Ashley Woods has a history of working with machinery.

From growing up helping her father with the family ATV to taking small gas engine class at her high school, Woods said she is ready to pursue a career in the manufacturing industry.

“I really enjoy assembling parts and being hands on,” she said. “I also enjoy knowing about how to put things together and what makes them work.”

Woods was one of about 200 high school students representing 70 different school districts from across the state who on Wednesday attended Great Plains Manufacturing’s first ever Manufacturing Day.

The event was held in conjunction with National Manufacturing Day.

In addition to touring the Great Plains plant, the event gave students an opportunity to learn about what Great Plains offers, some of the tools and equipment used in the manufacturing industry and available resources to pursue a manufacturing career.

Read more at Salina.com.