Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Manufacturing can be for the kids.

That was a message of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association‘s “Makers on the Move” bus tour stop at Ace Sign Company on Monday afternoon — one of more than 25 stops on the bus tour being held throughout the state by the IMA as well as the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center.

“The opportunity that has been given for our youth to be a part of this process…I think that we have to have more opportunities for our young people to feel like they are a part of our state,” said State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield), “and that they have input, and that they have a voice, and that we want to hear their voice.”

A student from Capital Area Career Center designed the “wrap” that covers the bus, then got an internship with Ace, learning how to put the wrap on.

“What I love most about career and technical education is seeing students being able to take their classroom skills and translate that to real-world projects,” said Lacy Glenn, CACC principal.  “Today we can celebrate a shining example of this.”

Officials say it’s the youth, after all, who will be the ones “making” and “on the move” in the not too distant future.  They also say Illinois manufacturing continues to be strong, despite economic and other uncertainties.