As Manufacturing Day 2016 (October 7) approaches, attitudes are changing towards manufacturing careers. There is a growing appreciation that modern manufacturing is not dirty, dark, and dangerous. Initiatives such as Manufacturing Day, which brings high school students into the workplace, have successfully demonstrated that manufacturing careers offer state-of-the-art facilities where skilled individuals with post-secondary training, credentials, and degrees in high-demand technical fields work with robots, computers, and machines.
The mission of Manufacturing Day is to address “common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is – and what it isn’t.“
While we have made great progress, we need more manufacturers to show students the opportunities that await them. Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties, along with their school districts, coordinate Manufacturing Day visits as part of their efforts to raise career awareness, change perceptions, and prepare students for careers in fast-growing, technical fields. Exposing students to manufacturing careers is a win-win for the future workforce and for employers, as it is an early opportunity to introduce talent to opportunity.
Why is connecting students with manufacturing important?
- Growing our economy. Manufacturing directly accounts for 12.5 percent of jobs in our region; each manufacturing job generates an additional two-to-six jobs.
- Diversifying opportunity. While the automotive industry remains an essential part of manufacturing in our region, manufacturing also includes machinery, metals, and food processing.
- Going beyond the shop floor. While the industry hires thousands of engineers, machinists, production and operating technicians, manufacturing firms also need accountants, finance, marketing, software developers, and many other professionals. Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for students interested in any of these fields to see what the industry offers.
- Strengthening our workforce. Employers can connect with and educate future generations of young people about manufacturing careers, overturn common misconceptions, and help ensure the industry has the pipeline it needs for long-term success.
In 2015, there were 2,600 Manufacturing Day events across the country – up from 800 in 2013. Over the last four years, Macomb County has been at the national forefront for exposing high school students to manufacturing careers through partnerships with the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD), local school districts, Macomb Community College, and businesses throughout the county. Last year, Oakland County and Wayne County joined Macomb in a regional effort involving more than 3,000 students, 65 school districts, and 80 businesses.
This year, all three counties are preparing to give students an even more robust look at modern manufacturing through visits to a wide range of manufacturing facilities and opportunities to hear about education programs for in-demand careers. Oakland County is connecting students enrolled in technical education programs from technical campuses. Macomb County is following up its tours on October 7 with an event for students and parents called Careers in Manufacturing and Technology at Macomb Community College on October 20 from 5:30-9 p.m.
Over 1,500 students from Wayne County are registered for Manufacturing Day visits. These include students from Detroit Public Community Schools, Livonia Public Schools, and several downriver districts – which creates an urgent need for more manufacturers to open their doors and host students. Students will visit manufacturing facilities in the morning and one of several education hub sites in the afternoon, including Henry Ford College, Schoolcraft College, and Baker College. They will hear about education and training programs and meet with representatives from other businesses, further strengthening their experience.
To ensure that this year is the most successful to-date, more manufacturers are needed to open their doors. If you are a manufacturing business interested in participating in Manufacturing Day 2016, or know a manufacturer concerned about the future pipeline, please contact Manufacturing Day coordinators by September 2, 2016:
- Lisa Gordon for Wayne County at [email protected] or 313 550-7181
- Maria Zardis for Macomb County at [email protected] or 586-292-8018
Find out more about Southeast Michigan’s Manufacturing Day efforts for October 7 at https://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/students/manufacturing-day/.
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