See-Or Better Yet, Be a Part of-Manufacturing Across the USA

 

 

A day in the name of Manufacturing! October 5th has been dubbed Manufacturing Day and it was established to help improve the general public's perception of manufacturing--its careers and value to the U.S. economy. This day is set up for students, parents, educators, media, customers, suppliers and the community who will learn about real career opportunities, training and resources. In addition, manufacturers will learn about business improvement resources and services delivered through manufacturing extension partnerships.

 

The effort is sponsored by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the U.S. Commerce Department's Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Wisconsin MEP (WMEP) and Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC). MEP is part of DOC's National Institute of Standards and Technology.

 

The sponsors invite additional associations and organizations supporting the manufacturing industry to join the program. Through open houses, public tours, career workshops and other events held at participating facilities on Oct. 5, the sponsors hope to introduce as many people as possible to the important role played by manufacturing both in local communities and for the nation. The grassroots events will also introduce manufacturers to business improvement resources and services delivered through the MEP's network of more than 400 affiliated centers across the country.

 

Studies by the nonprofit Manufacturing Institute and others show that almost 80 percent of Americans believe manufacturing is important to our economic prosperity, standard of living and national security. Yet only 30 percent would encourage their children to go into manufacturing as a career.

With the gap growing each year between the skills students learn in school and those they will need on the job, it is increasingly difficult for manufacturers to find and hire qualified employees. By promoting Manufacturing Day, manufacturing associations and other organizations led by NIST MEP centers and the FMA said they want to remove some of the myths surrounding manufacturing. For example, manufacturing is a solid, long-term career choice for qualified candidates-including the young people who will form the workforce of tomorrow, and it is a vital part of our economy.

 

"Manufacturing Day will be the 'coming out party' for U.S. manufacturers all across the nation," said Ed Youdell, president and CEO of the FMA. "October 5th is dedicated to celebrating the great work and innovation of the 12 million men and women who make the United States the world's largest manufacturing economy. FMA and MEP centers are encouraging their members and manufacturers to open their doors to their local school kids, community college students, press, and job seekers so that they can see firsthand the safe, high-tech and innovative work environments that await the best and brightest who pursue careers in manufacturing."

 

"Manufacturing is a crucial part of the national economy," said Buckley Brinkman, executive director and CEO of the WMEP. "It drives value creation, innovation and employment throughout the country, and we want to show our communities the opportunities available in manufacturing today. Our future depends on our ability to strengthen and advance this vital sector and Manufacturing Day can accelerate that process."

 

"We hope that every manufacturing organization-local, regional and national-will encourage its members to embrace the concept of Manufacturing Day and conduct an open house for the community," said Dave Barber, chairman of the FMA board of directors and president of The Wilmington Grill Company in Wilmington, N.C. "And, we hope the organizations themselves will encourage the media to report on these events so that thousands of people will visit local manufacturers and learn what really goes on in America's industrial parks. It is particularly important that educators and parents avail themselves of this unprecedented opportunity to visit local employers with children-particularly those in middle school and junior high-to introduce them to the career opportunities that exist for those who are prepared with appropriate science and math skills."

 

"Setting aside October 5th as Manufacturing Day to promote the gains we've seen in manufacturing is a great initiative," said Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), co-chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus. "The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are playing no small part in the resurgence of manufacturing-and I commend them for their hard work."

 

"As co-founder of the House Manufacturing Caucus, I have long championed the need to maintain our competitive edge in all manufacturing industries," said Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL). I encourage all manufacturers to reach out and invite their members of congress to visit their facility on Oct. 5th for a tour and a chance to meet their constituents. Manufacturing Day is a great opportunity to do this."