When Students Run the Company: A WIN for Manufacturing

Dec 2, 2025

🏭 Ready or Not… They Ran the Company!

The Inaugural Yamhill County Student MFG Experience: Ready or Not Business Simulation Event

What happens when you put high school juniors and seniors in charge of a manufacturing company for a day? A whole lot of strategy, teamwork, excitement — and some surprisingly sharp business instincts.

This fall, the first-ever Yamhill County School District MFG Experience, produced with support from the WIN Workforce Integration Network (WIN) committee, wrapped with a hands-on finale: students partnering with local industry professionals to compete in the Ready or Not Business Simulation Game. This immersive challenge mirrors the high-pressure, decision-heavy world of real manufacturing operations.

🎮 Inside the Simulation: A Crash Course in Running a Manufacturing Company

Each team stepped into executive roles — choosing production levels, managing staffing, adjusting budgets, launching products, and navigating curveballs as they raced to keep their virtual company competitive.

Guided by industry mentors and the WIN committee volunteers, students debated strategies, reworked budgets, monitored capacity, and learned how one choice can impact everything else — a real-time lesson in systems thinking.

💡 What Students Found Most Valuable About the Game

In just one day, students picked up a surprising range of real-world skills. They reported boosts in teamwork, communication, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving, with many also noticing growth in leadership, time management, and project or financial awareness. What they valued most was simply getting to work together — teaming up with new peers, communicating under pressure, and tackling shared goals. 

The simulation gave them a glimpse into real business decision-making as they balanced orders, capacity, and budgets and saw how even small choices created big ripple effects. They enjoyed jumping into unexpected challenges, making quick calls, and getting tips from industry mentors and WIN volunteers.

Their reflections tell the story best:
“In the end, my group’s communication and cooperation got us to win the game.”
“This game was not only fun, but also very educational. I learned about business management, teamwork, and leadership.”
“This event was awesome! I gained lots of knowledge on how running a business works. I got to lead a group, communicate effectively with others in business, and have fun running a simulated business.”

And perhaps the strongest endorsement came from a teacher:
“I wish you could hear how they were raving about it when they came back!”

Students left the day feeling confident, connected, and proud of their accomplishments.

🧩 Why Experiences Like This Matter

Manufacturing is one of Yamhill County’s largest and most innovative sectors. Through tours, hands-on learning, and this culminating simulation — all coordinated with the guidance of the WIN Workforce Integration Network committee — students gained an authentic look at the collaboration, strategy, and critical thinking that drive modern manufacturing careers.

Many students said the simulation changed their perception of manufacturing entirely — revealing a world of leadership, strategy, technology, and teamwork behind the scenes.

🎉 A Celebration of Collaboration

This inaugural MFG Experience was made possible thanks to the industry partners, mentors, educators, volunteers, and the WIN Workforce Integration Network committee, whose mentorship and coordination created a transformative experience for students.

You didn’t just help students play a game — you helped them discover their potential and envision future career paths.

Here’s to the next round — more students, more collaboration, and more big insights.

Thank you again to our participating Industry Mentors and Partners:

APT Applied Physics Technologies
A.R.E. Manufacturing
Chemeketa Community College Yamhill Valley Campus - McMinnville
Cutting Edge Metals
DCI International
EMPWR Nutrition
Hampton Lumber
Miss Hannah’s Popcorn
OMEP Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Solid Form Fabrication
SBDC Small Business Development Center
WCT World Class Technologies / OC Orthodontics

⭐ Interested in participating in Spring Industry Tours or Mentorship in the Classroom? Complete the Interest Form at the link or email Craig Brockett, Barbara Roberts CTEC or Heather Hadley Blank, MEDP.

A Special Thank You to Evergreen Events for providing the beautiful venue for this inaugural event, and to Eric Hedaa, our Ready or Not Game Host!  If you’d like to learn more about the game, visit:  ron2game.com

This program was made possible by the generous contributions from Future Ready Oregon funding, through Barbara Roberts CTEC, Chemeketa Community College, the Unidos Bridging Community Level Up Internship Program, and community partners, including Yamhill County Economic Development, the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership, the Delphian School, and the McMinnville School District.