Emma Jo Booker

Manufacturing is the second largest private sector employer behind only health care in the tri
state region and offers highly technical good paying jobs with strong benefits and career
advancement opportunities. Although manufacturing is the backbone of the U.S. economy and
offers a pathway to the middle class, women represent less than 10% of all current
manufacturing employees. Despite low representation of women in the industry, the lure of
strong job growth, job security and a technical education were more than enough to convince
Emma Jo Booker that manufacturing would be her career of choice.
Emma Jo Booker is a 2015 graduate of Scott High School in Northern Kentucky and in 2014,
she attended a summer camp for girls at Gateway Community and Technical College designed
to expose participants to careers in manufacturing. She learned about science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) careers in the advanced manufacturing sector, job forecasts in
the local area and participated in a robotics competition. Although I was only a junior in high
school, the summer camp convinced me that I should pursue a career in manufacturing, she
stated.
As a high school senior, Emma Jo continued on the manufacturing career pathway by
completing the Manufacturing Skills Standards Councils (MSSC) Certified Production
Technician (CPT) training at Gateway Community and Technical College. Funded by Partners
for a Competitive Workforce and Duke Energy, high school students have the opportunity to
complete their high school graduation requirements while concurrently taking college-level
courses. Students who successfully complete the course by passing four required assessments
earn six college-credit hours along with MSSC CPT Certification.
Upon high school graduation, Emma Jo secured sponsorship in a mechanical apprenticeship
program with Mazak Corporation who is a world leader in the manufacture of advanced
technology solutions including multi-tasking, hybrid multi-tasking, 5-axis, milling, turning, CNC
controls and automation. By participating in this program, Emma Jo earns a competitive wage
and has her college educational expenses fully covered by her employer. I am so excited about
this opportunity because now I know I am going to have a positive future and I will always be in
demand in the job market, Emma Jo Booker.
Upon successful completion of her apprenticeship, Emma Jo will earn an Associates of Applied
Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology and plans to continue her education
until she earns an MBA.

This Story was written by Stephen Tucker

Director of Industry Partnership
Partners for a Competitive Workforce
stephen.tucker@uwgc.org
(513)762-3720
(513)371-3855
Emma Jo Booker
ejpage2019@gmail.com
(859) 462-5806