Mack Trucks is rolling out a pilot outreach program for high school freshman and sophomores to illustrate the wide range of job opportunities in technical and industrial fields.

The Mack School Tour will feature a traveling historical exhibit, one of Mack's most technologically advanced truck models, and fast-paced video and live presentations to highlight the opportunities in manufacturing companies like Mack for employees with skills and training outside of the traditional four-year college degree.
The School Tour's inaugural visits are scheduled May 28 at Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, outside Philadelphia, and May 29 at Emmaus (Pa.) High School, near Mack's headquarters in Allentown, Pa. Approximately 1,000 freshmen and sophomores are expected to take part at Upper Darby, which is known for its strong School-to-Work programs.
"As a truck maker, we at Mack can see the need for workers with technical training in all facets of our business -- from engineers and designers to information technology specialists and technical writers, all the way to skilled service technicians and salespeople at the truck dealership level," said Tom Kelly, vice president of marketing at Mack.
"And as a major manufacturer, we know that similar opportunities are present in many other industries. The Mack School Tour is designed to show young people that they may want to consider different training opportunities for a successful and rewarding career," Kelly added.
Kelly noted that there are some disturbing trends in statistics about progress toward a college degree - such as the U.S. Department of Education's estimate that of those high school graduates heading to college this fall, only 34 percent are likely to have earned two- or four-year degrees by 2006. Other studies indicate that one-third of all college freshmen drop out during their first year. At the same time, industrial and manufacturing companies are reporting difficulty in finding and keeping workers with different types of technical training.
"Mack employees range from engineers to artists and writers - and we're not alone. Of course, many jobs in our industry require advanced graduate degrees, but many more require technical certifications and, most important, a proven willingness to continually learn new skills," said Kelly. "These positions can lead to rewarding careers for students who may find that the traditional four-year college degree doesn't really fit their interests.