Share your enthusiasm on MFG DAY

Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, is the fourth annual Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY, www.mfgday.com), a nationwide effort to raise public awareness of manufacturing’s critical importance to our economy and way of life. Started as a way for manufacturers to address a shrinking skilled-labor force, the annual day-long event allows industry leaders to get students – primarily in high school, technical school, and community college – interested in a career in manufacturing. But it’s more than that. MFG DAY gives a collective voice to thousands of individual manufacturers, large and small, to be heard in their communities, on the same day.

Why should you participate? Beyond inspiring some young people to one day join your workforce, MFG DAY lets you show off your capabilities to current and potential customers, demonstrate to elected officials your contribution to the economy, and impress upon local educators your need for tech-savvy employees.

Ace Clearwater Enterprises in Torrance, California, builds complex formed and welded aerospace assemblies, and has hosted MFG DAY events since 2013. More than 400 teachers, counselors, and parents are invited to come and see the career pathways that exist for their students and children. Workstations feature employees showing what they make and how, and involve students in hands-on activities. Kellie Johnson, Ace’s president, tells me the event is “an opportunity for kids to see that manufacturing can be really cool, creative, and fun.”

Her employees also benefit. “It gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment to talk about what they do every day, the value they bring, and the importance of the jobs they have.”

Even if you have a small shop, the event need not be overwhelming. Johnson’s advice – bring in your vendors. At last year’s Ace event, vendors brought the welding simulator that scored student performance and a laser scanner that generated data for 3D printing – and they shared their passion for working in manufacturing.

The thank-you letters Johnson received highlight the importance of showcasing modern manufacturing. Comments such as “I saw stuff I didn’t even know existed” and “I’ve never seen things like this before” speak to the students’ fascination with technology. They also show industry needs to do a much better job informing young people what manufacturing is today and how rewarding a career in it can be.

As Johnson says, “When you see these young faces and recognize that they’re our future, you want to make sure they understand all of the options that exist for them and how they can make a difference in the world.”

How are you sharing your enthusiasm about manufacturing? Let me know at ebrothers@gie.net.

– Eric