Manufacturing Day 2021 Utilizes New Strategies to Inspire Future Manufacturers

According to a workforce study conducted by The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, U.S. manufacturers need to fill 4 million jobs by 2030. Roughly 2 million of these jobs are expected to go unfilled because of the skills gap plaguing the industry.

Today, the first Friday of October, our nation celebrates Manufacturing Day to promote manufacturing careers, fight misconceptions of the industry, and, ultimately, help local communities and future generations thrive. Manufacturers across the nation have been encouraged to open their doors to students, parents and educators to show the reality of modern manufacturing careers through insightful events today and throughout the entire month.

MANUFACTURING DAY 2021
Like last year, Manufacturing Day 2021 looks a little different than previous years. Companies have adapted to the threat of COVID-19 and increased reliance on technology, with hundreds of registered events now held both in person and virtually.

In Michigan, these events include:

• Heavy Metal Tours – Heavy Metal Tours is focused on educating students, parents and school personnel about career opportunities in the trades at local Dickinson County manufacturers in Michigan’s upper peninsula. This Manufacturing Day event is a collaboration between DAEDA, Northern Initiatives-Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Bay College, the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District and Michigan Works!
• SEMCA MiWorks!: Monroe and Wayne County 2021 Manufacturing Day – Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) will host this virtual event to show students, parents and teachers the amazing future of modern manufacturing careers. Employers and educators will show the career pathways, the job realities, and the many exciting opportunities available today and in the future.
• Oakland County: Virtual MFG Day 2021 – Oakland County is hosting a virtual event for high school students and teachers across the region. Groups of students will be assigned to an online tour and interactive discussion with one of ten participating Oakland County manufacturers. In 2020, more than 900 people participated, showing that interest in manufacturing is as strong as ever.
• Vickers Engineering Tour – Students and job seekers are invited to Vickers Engineering’s New Troy facility to experience everything a manufacturing environment has to offer. Students will get exposure to what a career in manufacturing would look like with group tours of the facility. Job seekers will get the opportunity to complete applications, interview and tour the facility.
• American Axle & Manufacturing Tour – American Axle in Three Rivers will host high school students in their facility to help them discover the exciting world of manufacturing.
• PTI Engineered Plastics Tour – High school students from Macomb County are invited to see the A to Zs of the plastic injection molding process at PTI’s facility. Students will leave with a good understanding of what is needed to bring a plastic component to market and the enormous resources of technology, equipment and brain power required.

In addition to Manufacturing Day events, the founders of Manufacturing Day – the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute – started the largest industry campaign to build the workforce of tomorrow. The mission of the Creators Wanted campaign is to inspire, educate and empower a new generation of creators in the U.S. by supporting workforce development efforts, conducting online events/programs and facilitating a nationwide tour to build the talent pipeline. The goal is to reduce the skills gap in the U.S. by 600,000 before 2025.

A similar video series also was developed to give further insight into the realities of manufacturing careers. In the Making the Future video series, each episode uncovers the inside stories of modern manufacturing, helping future generations discover potential rewarding careers in manufacturing.

As Manufacturing Day continues to grow each year, so, too, does the public interest in manufacturing. And each year, this increased awareness and improved perception further helps to close the skills gap and support the longevity of manufacturing both locally and nationally.

Learn more about Manufacturing Day 2021 here. Learn more about the services we provide to support manufacturers here.

Since 1991, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center has assisted Michigan’s small and medium-sized businesses to successfully compete and grow. Through personalized services designed to meet the needs of clients, we develop more effective business leaders, drive product and process innovation, promote company-wide operational excellence and foster creative strategies for business growth and greater profitability. Find us at www.the-center.org.