Mack Trucks, Inc. this month will kick off a tour of high schools along the East Coast to promote technical careers, by visiting two Massachusetts schools recognized as pioneers in workforce development.

The "Mack School Tour" will visit Worcester Vocational in Worcester on Sept. 23 and The Cambridge Rindge & Latin School on Sept. 24.

Using its experience as one of America’s largest truck manufacturers, Mack plans to illustrate the wide range of job opportunities in technical and industrial fields.

In its fall schedule, the technology outreach program will also stop in Hartford, CT.; Levittown and Brooklyn, N.Y.; Newark, N.J.; Newark, DE.;and Montgomery County (Washington, D.C.), MD.; Raleigh, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta, GA; and Stark, (Jacksonville); Orlando, St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL

The tour features a traveling historical exhibit of older transportation technology innovations from Mack, contrasted with one of Mack’s technologically advanced, computer-programmable truck models. A fast-paced video and live presentation will highlight opportunities at manufacturing companies like Mack for employees with skills and training outside of traditional four-year college degree programs.

"Like many manufacturers, Mack depends on a skilled technical workforce in all facets of our business," said Tom Kelly, vice president of marketing. "The Mack School Tour urges young people, when planning their futures, to consider training after high school that leads to well-paid technical careers in a variety of industries."

Kelly noted some disturbing trends in college completion - 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 ypes of technical training. And the U.S. Department of Labor expects only one-quarter of jobs to require a college degree by 2007.

Kelly noted that many technical careers, in high demand areas, require only a two-year degree. "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 require technical certifications and, most important, a proven willingness to continually learn new skills," said Kelly.

For more information, visit www.macktrucks.com.

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