Wayne County MFG DAY
On October 1, 2026, SEMCOG celebrated Manufacturing (MFG) Day with its Wayne County partners. Manufacturing Day is an annual effort designed to connect students and communities with modern manufacturing. MFG Day provides manufacturers with an opportunity to open their doors and show students what manufacturing really looks like today and challenge some of the misconceptions surrounding careers in manufacturing.
Manufacturing is no longer simply about working on an assembly line. Today’s manufacturing workforce relies on technology, advanced equipment, and provides a wide range of technical and professional occupations. These connections are increasingly important as employers work to address skilled labor shortages and prepare the next generation of workers.
MFG Day creates an opportunity for manufacturers, schools, workforce organizations, and community partners to work together to introduce young people to these careers. For many high school students, choosing a career can be difficult simply because they may not know what opportunities are available to them. This is why career exploration and hands-on experiences are so important.
SEMCOG had the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for Wayne County Manufacturing Day. We were paired with Annapolis High School located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, helping students participate in a tour of MacLean-Fogg, a global manufacturing company with deep roots in Michigan. Founded in 1925, MacLean-Fogg began by providing a single lock nut to North America’s railroads. Through innovative product development and strategic acquisitions, the company has grown into a global enterprise with facilities throughout North America and Europe and more than $1 billion in annual sales.
While the history of the company was important, the students were most interested in seeing firsthand the people, careers, technology, and opportunities inside a modern manufacturing facility. During the tour, students were introduced to the different types of jobs and career opportunities available at MacLean-Fogg. The experience gave them an opportunity to see how their education can translate into real-world careers.
Career tours like this can be especially valuable because students are asked to make decisions about their futures – often before they have had an opportunity to experience different career fields.
A student may not know that a career in manufacturing could involve advanced technology, engineering, skilled trades, logistics, information technology, management, and many other occupations. Sometimes, all it takes is an opportunity to see those careers in action.
While college remains an important choice for many students, for some it may not be the first choice. They may be interested in entering the workforce after high school, developing valuable skills, and building rewarding careers. They may decide to pursue education through certificates, degrees and apprenticeships later often sponsored by their employers.
Companies like MacLean-Fogg provide opportunities for high school graduates to enter the workforce in entry-level positions and build their skills through experience and additional training. These opportunities can provide students with a pathway to a career while allowing them to earn a paycheck and gain valuable workplace experience. For students who may not have considered manufacturing before, seeing a facility firsthand can open their eyes to possibilities they didn’t know existed.
The most meaningful outcome of a career tour may not be something that can be measured immediately. A student may leave the building thinking differently about their future. They may discover a career they had never considered or recognize that their interests and skills could translate into a particular occupation. Or they may simply leave with a better understanding of the opportunities available.
For the students from Annapolis High School, we hope the MacLean-Fogg tour provided such an experience. Perhaps one of the students who walked through the facility will eventually return as an employee, technician, engineer, or supervisor. That is the power of career exploration.
SEMCOG is proud to support opportunities that help connect students with employers and expose them to the wide range of education, training, and career pathways available across the region.
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