The Lafayette Caterpillar Large Engine Center produces hundreds of large engines each year and relies on a skilled workforce to keep operations running smoothly. Some Klondike Middle School eighth graders got a firsthand look at the facility, exploring careers in manufacturing and learning what it takes to build the engines that power industries around the world.

Students toured the assembly facility, participated in a condensed version of Caterpillar’s Basic Assembly Training, and followed all company safety procedures, including wearing required personal protective equipment. Training auditors and staff guided the students through interactive, hands-on activities and games that demonstrated the fundamentals of engine mechanics, helping them connect technical concepts to real-world applications.

“One thing that impressed me was how big the facility is and the amount of people that work in just one section of it,” says eighth grader Genesis Malpica. “Overall, the field trip helped me with some ideas of what I want my future career to be. I can see myself one day working at Caterpillar!” 

Caterpillar hosts the career exploration event to help students get a clearer understanding of their options after high school whether it’s college, trade school or directly entering the workforce. Students also learned about available programs including a summer internship and courses through the Greater Lafayette Career Academy.