The U.S. manufacturing industry employs nearly 13 million workers and contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy. In Southeast Michigan, there are around 200,000 high-paying, direct manufacturing jobs. This field is among the most technologically advanced and innovative, and production is forecast to continue increasing over the next three decades and anchor Southeast Michigan economy.
Manufacturing Day is important to SEMCOG because it is one way of implementing a recommendation in the SEMCOG/MAC report, Future Skills: Preparing for the Changing World of Work that focuses on building support for multiple career pathways to fill a broad range of jobs that contribute to a robust economy. The actions include “Increase public awareness and interest in a wide range of different career fields and address negative perceptions…” and “Expand student awareness, exploration, and preparation for careers.” Manufacturing Day also raises awareness of the many different types of manufacturing in our region and the many different careers associated with manufacturing businesses including those that need specialized technical training and others that need bachelor’s degrees.
Career Awareness
To build awareness and ensure that we have the workforce to support this vital industry, partners throughout the region supported Manufacturing Day in a big way earlier this month. On October 4, students, educators, employers, government leaders, policy makers, legislators, and entrepreneurs across Southeast Michigan gathered to inspire and begin developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals. More than 6,000 high school students in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties visited more than 150 businesses on Manufacturing Day, in addition to middle and high school visits during the week in Livingston, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties.
This year, SEMCOG participated in three very different aspects of Manufacturing Day.
Career Exposure
We started early in the morning at Aztec Manufacturing Corporation, a minority, family-owned manufacturing facility in Romulus that employs about 60 people. Established in 1983, Aztec makes machine castings and forgings for the auto industry. Over time, it has adopted the latest technologies in manufacturing, including flexible machining cells with robotic interface in its 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
Left to right: Naheed Huq, Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff, Greg Lopez of Aztec, Malin Wagner of SEMCA Board, Frank Lopez of Aztec, Greg Johnson of Wayne RESA, Jason Evers of Wayne RESA, and Jazmine Danci of Romulus.
We toured the plant with high school students from Robichaud High School. Company founder Frank Lopez and President Greg Lopez discussed opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing industry. They talked about advances in technology and automation and the need to attract hardworking people with good communications skills and those who can work in a team.
Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff told the students about opportunities in manufacturing – “the backbone of Michigan.” Representatives from Wayne RESA and SEMCA Michigan Works! helped organize the event to expose students to careers in the “real world.” Students said they particularly liked seeing how parts for cars are made and how they got to “pick up and touch stuff.” Several students were unsure about their career plans, but 11th grader Isaac said, “Coming here got me weighing my options.”
Students from Robichaud High School tour Aztec
Career Exploration
From Romulus, we went to Schoolcraft College where 700 middle school students from Western Wayne County heard Congresswoman Haley Stevens tell them that “there is incredible innovation in manufacturing, and there is room for every student to find a career in this industry.” Students had a chance to visit one of several manufacturing companies and tour four different science labs, use welding equipment, and learn about exciting and inspiring applications for robotics and metallurgy.
Middle school students hearing from Congresswoman Stevens at Schoolcraft College assembly
Hands-on exploration of welding
Our third stop of the day was at the launch of the Centrepolis Accelerator on the campus of Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in the City of Southfield. This new 6,300-square-foot innovation center is a partnership between LTU and the City of Southfield, with support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Automation Alley. It provides collaborative work spaces where small manufacturers can build prototypes, access state-of-the-art technology, and technical assistance in engineering and business development from faculty and industry partners. Rochelle Freeman from the City of Southfield says, “It is a dream come true for the city and the university to partner on a project that will bring jobs, businesses, and more opportunities to the city and region.”
Welcome sign for the Open House
Several of the 50-plus businesses presented their products and advanced manufacturing technologies to the 500-plus attendees at the event.
Businesses discuss their products
As the activities related to Manufacturing Day 2019 wrap up, the region is finalizing arrangements for another collaboration in career exploration – MICareerQuest_Southeast 2019. This is scheduled for November 8, 2019. Four major industry sectors will be highlighted through interactive and hands-on activities. Keep an eye out for more information on this.
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