Explore Manufacturing Day
Manufacturing Day falls on October 1 this year and it is back in full swing after being completely virtual last fall. Manufacturing Day is a celebration of the people who keep the manufacturing industry running, as well as a day to educate and encourage the manufacturing leaders of the future. Inspiring the youth of today to explore the manufacturing industry starts with opening our doors and showing them the abundance of opportunities we can provide them. Before the day kicks off, take a moment to read 7 fun facts about how Manufacturing Day came to be and how you can get involved.
- Manufacturing Day was created in 2012 by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International.
Manufacturing Day started in 2012 as a way to encourage young adults to consider pursuing careers in the manufacturing industry, as well as it being a day to open company doors to address common misconceptions about the industry. Nine years later, Manufacturing Day is now hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute and is celebrated across North America with a multitude of in-person and virtual programs and events.
Check out the 2021 Manufacturing Day Video: https://youtu.be/XqY4hksJOyc
- There are currently 800,000 open jobs in the manufacturing industry.
Along with the abundance of manufacturing companies that are seeking workers today, research from the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte predicts that there will be around 4 million more open positions by 2030. As the oldest generation of workers starts retiring, the skills gap for new workers is becoming a clear issue, especially with much of manufacturing technology also undergoing a digital transformation.
“Closing that skills gap requires us to inspire, educate and empower the next generation of manufacturing workers—and that’s where Creators Wanted and MFG Day come in. Companies that participate in MFG Day and Creators Wanted are taking strong, tangible steps toward strengthening their workforce and closing the skills gap.” – Manufacturing Institute Executive Director, Carolyn Lee.
- In 2019, more than 325,000 people participated in Manufacturing Day.
Before the world went virtual to combat the coronavirus, it was only hosted in-person events across North America. In 2019, over 3,000 events were hosted across the country and afterward, 72% of participants said they now believe “manufacturing provides an interesting and rewarding career.” This year, there will be double the fun with both COVID-19 safe in-person events and virtual events you can join from the comfort of your home! Find the perfect event for you here: https://www.creatorswanted.org/find-events/
2019 Highlights: https://youtu.be/uyTb4-835RY
- Manufacturing Day is now led by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute.
The National Association of Manufacturers was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1895 and was one of the main proponents for the creation of the U.S Department of Commerce. They now “work for the success of the more than 12.8 million men and women who make things in America.” Their values are free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity. The Manufacturing Institute is the nonprofit counterpart of the association and their mission is specifically to inspire, educate and empower the manufacturing workforce of today and tomorrow. Their work involves coordinating educational events and programming, such as Manufacturing Day, to help grow the manufacturing community by welcoming emerging workers, women, veterans and students. If you missed Manufacturing Day or just want to keep the celebration going, both organizations have a wide variety of resources and programs that run all year long.
- Welcome to everyone.
One of the ways the manufacturing industry can help close the skills gap and fill the large number of open positions is by encouraging previously underrepresented people to consider a career in the industry. Women have historically been underrepresented in manufacturing with less than 1 in 3 manufacturing workers being a woman, but they represent a huge pool of untapped talent. The Manufacturing Institute has also made a commitment to support manufacturers in their “efforts to build diverse and inclusive workplaces and strengthen equal opportunity in the United States.” Not only will creating an inclusive workplace benefit workers, but companies that have already instituted DEI policies have had better business performance due to increased productivity and better organization management.
- Every day is Manufacturer’s Day with the Creators Wanted campaign.
Although Manufacturer’s Day is sadly only one day out of the year, the Manufacturing Institute works on their Creators Wanted campaign year round as they seek to inspire youth around the country to pursue careers in manufacturing. Creators Wanted is a joint campaign of the National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute, and its goal is to reduce the skills gap in the United States by 600,000 people by 2025, as well as increase the number of students enrolling in technical or vocational school by 25%. Half of the funds they raise through the program go toward creating more educational content and tools and the other half supports initiatives focused on reaching students, women, veterans, workers and underrepresented communities.
- Creators Wanted is coming to a city near you.
The Manufacturing Institute knows that some of the best workers in the manufacturing industry are hands-on learners, which is a reason why they are taking their message on the road with a mobile learning experience which highlights modern manufacturing in a way that has never been done before. The 53-foot traveling multi-room vehicle invites teammates in to take on challenges like cracking codes, solving riddles, and busting industry myths. The “Escape Room”-like set up is fun for all ages and shows that there is place for everyone in the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing is an essential part of the success and prosperity of communities small and large across North America, but the industry faces the pressing problem of needing a new generation of leaders and workers as soon as possible. Manufacturing Day is one part of a bigger plan to dispel misconceptions about the industry and inspire students and workers of all ages to consider a career in manufacturing. Do your part today and be an advocate for careers in manufacturing and consider speaking to someone in your life who you think might have a future in manufacturing.