On August 23, 2019 Instructor Jesse Potts, Student Services Coordinator Robert Suitor and students enrolled in the Metal Fabrication program at Alcorn Career and Technology Center visited Contract Fabricators, Inc. in Iuka, MS. The company's Iuka manufacturing operation has been up and running in their 97,000 square foot facility at Yellow Creek Port since 2012. As illustrated on their website, the company is headquartered in Holly Springs, and "has extensive experience with the design and fabrication of process equipment for the Oil & Gas (Upstream & Downstream), Petrochemical, Chemical Processing, and Power Generation industries." The extensive size of the equipment manufactured makes the access to a waterway at the Iuka plant a good solution for transportation.
Taking students on industry visits allows them to see the connection between the skills they are learning in the classroom and the application of those skills in our local industries. Students get to see first hand how components are manufactured from the blueprint stage through customer delivery. The visits also introduce students to the latest technologies in the fields of manufacturing, and introduce them to potential future employers and potential employment opportunities. In addition students are always excited to observe live work environments in our community, and instructors are excited to strengthen relationships with our industry partners.