York Imperial Plastics has partnered with middle schools, high schools, vocational schools, and both two and four-year colleges to manufacture careers.

Partnering with Local Schools

Throughout the school year, York Imperial representatives are invited to speak on various career-related occasions at middle schools, high schools, and colleges not only about careers in manufacturing, but also about their respective educational and career path and journey.  Our team also answers questions one-on-one to help guide interested students through their chosen career paths.

Members of York Imperial’s staff currently hold board-level advisory positions at various high school, college, and vocational schools.  One of York Imperial’s team members was instrumental in the development and implementation of a Mechatronics program offering an associated degree at one area college.

By partnering with the local academic institutions at all levels, and being a small company, York Imperial Plastics is able to design co-ops and internship programs that work for each student whether it be engineering, tooling, automation, or any other area of interest.   Students enrolled in a formal school-to-work program gain vital industry experience and receive class credit for their tenure, and it has been our privilege to work with the programs of York College of Pennsylvania, Spring Grove, York Tech, Thaddeus Stevens, Eastern York, YTI Career Institute, Dallastown, and Red Lion School Districts just to name a few.

Out with the Old

Any in-house equipment, software, manuals, or tools that are deemed obsolete are offered as a donation to local institutions. Recently, an obsolete packaging machine was donated to a local technology school’s Electromechanical Technology Program where both junior and senior students are tasked with programming and improving the equipment as part of their capstone project prior to graduation. 

Throughout the semester, York Imperial’s team works one-on-one with the students in order to help guide them to success with their project’s plans.  At the end of the semester, our staff attends the final project presentation event, and we are always amazed to see what each of the students has accomplished.

Guided Plant Tours for Students & Educators

Almost on a weekly basis, York Imperial Plastics hosts guided plant tours for both students and educators.  We tailor the tours based on the specific interests of each group, and we keep the groups small enough that they are able to interact with everyone throughout their visit.  Our team enjoys giving tours almost as much as our visitors enjoy taking them.

In the spring, York Imperial participates in a number of career fairs throughout Pennsylvania where our representatives interview prospective candidates for internships, co-ops, and full-time employment.  In addition, our representatives often speak to students about their career paths. 

During the summer months, representatives from neighboring school districts participate in tours at local area businesses, including York Imperial Plastics, in order to gain a better understanding of what employers are looking for.  These tours offer educators the opportunity to speak first hand with hiring managers and former graduates in order to gain a better perspective on the current job market and what it takes to excel in different fields.  Educators come away with a plan to better prepare their students for employment in the job market, and reconnect with recent grads and alums.

Workforce Preparedness

In June of each year, York Imperial partners with local high schools on workforce preparedness.  Members of our team spend a full day, typically the second to last day of school for students, with sophomores, juniors, and seniors, from area school districts conducting mock interviews and resume writing workshops. 

At these events, each representative meets with a minimum of ten students and provides one-on-one feedback based on the students’ respective resume, mock interview, and overall career interests. In addition, a question-and-answer session is also offered allowing the students the ability to openly ask our industry insiders those burning questions.  With the conversion to online learning during the COVID-19 global pandemic, York Imperial was excited to continue these programs virtually thanks to the flexibility of Zoom in order to safely ensure students continue to be career ready.

However, you may be asking yourself, why Sophomores? The answer is simple, workforce preparedness and Dallastown Area School District gets it.  Dallastown’s Administration, led by its fabulous Workforce, Career, & College Counselor, Mr. William Probert, is committed to a focus on workforce development.  The Administration of Dallastown Area School District recognizes that no one student is like another, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success, and not every student has a college degree in mind as an end game.  Instead of pressuring their students with expectations of higher education, Dallastown Area School District is preparing their students for a future before graduation – regardless of whether that future leads to a degree.

Manufacturing Month

The career-related activities kick into overdrive during October for National Manufacturing Month.  From virtual plant tours to in-person guided tours and events, October is the busiest month for student-related activities at York Imperial Plastics. 

Engagement

The work doesn’t end after the interns or recent grads are brought onboard. The most important thing with younger employees is to keep them engaged.  At York Imperial Plastics, we pride ourselves on our family-friendly work environment.  Our employees are our family, and we enjoy hosting employee engagement events year-round such as appreciation luncheons, unique contests, and themed parties as well as extracurricular and team building events. 

Be sure to check out York Imperial’s social media channels to peek inside life at #YIP

Another way we engage with our younger employees, whether they are on internships or co-ops, is by investing in them.  Professional development is an area that has traditionally been lacking in standard internship programs.  At York Imperial Plastics, we partner with a number of institutions and vendors in order to provide the respective training for each student’s chosen field.  For our automation interns, we partner with local robotics firms who conduct both on-site hands-on training and virtual training with each student.  When conducting exit interviews with our students, this is the area that has been most consistently praised.

We Are York Imperial

Perhaps the most important thing is that all our employees, whether they are internships, on co-ops, seasonal, part-time, or full-time, are treated equally.  Student employment receives the same benefits and respect that our full and part-time employees receive such as company apparel, gifts, and invitations to events.

At York Imperial Plastics, we are truly passionate about guiding young people in their careers.  Many of our current employees would not be where they are today without the leadership of at least one important mentor who provided them with guidance at some point in their career.

Not every student we work with becomes an intern and not every intern becomes a full-time employee, but for York Imperial Plastics, it’s an important part of giving back to the community and helping manufacture careers for young people – even if they aren’t interested in plastics.  In participating in these events and volunteering our time with young people, we at York Imperial Plastics aim to manufacture careers, wherever the student’s path takes them.

Interested in exploring an internship, co-op opportunity, or booking a tour with York Imperial Plastics? We accept educators and students approved for co-op through local vocational schools as well as interns ages sixteen and up who are currently enrolled in any area high school or college program year-round.