Educator Day at UnaDyn (a PiovanGroup company) was more than a field trip, it was a full sensory immersion into the world of advanced manufacturing. Representatives from all of our local school divisions joined us, each bringing a different curiosity; some came to learn more about the field, others to explore future externship, internship, and employment opportunities for their students.
Before we even stepped onto the production floor, we received a comprehensive safety briefing, a reminder that safety is the #1 priority in manufacturing. Then we geared up: rubber slip-on shoe covers (nicknamed “flippers” by the group!) and sleek protective eyewear, because yes, safety can also be stylish.
What followed was a true “see it, touch it, feel it” experience. We toured the entire production floor, moving from fabrication to welding, to assembly, to building. We heard the sounds of machines humming, smelled the materials in use, and felt the warm air of a bustling manufacturing space. Educators asked thoughtful questions, took mental notes, and began imagining how they could translate this real-world exposure into future-ready lessons for their students.
UnaDyn is part of the PiovanGroup—a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing systems that automate the storage, transport, and processing of polymers, plastic powders, and food ingredients. But that’s just the high-level description. What we experienced was something deeper: the company’s commitment to showing, not just telling, what manufacturing is and why it matters.
One moment stood out. As our guide was speaking, a young man walked by in work gear. The guide paused and shared, “He started here as an extern. After graduation, he applied and now he’s an employee.” I turned to the CTE educators in the room and said, “It’s working.”
Because it is.
Companies that want to build a talent pipeline need to open their doors to the community, just like UnaDyn has. Through initiatives like Internship Week, Educator Days, and company tours, they’re not just talking about workforce development, they’re living it. UnaDyn is leading by example, and it’s making an impact.
