An initiative of the Manufacturing Institute (MI), MFG Day is an annual event that celebrates the manufacturing industry and aims to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. This year, MFG Day will be held Fri., Oct. 6, bringing together manufacturers, educational institutions and community leaders to highlight the opportunities and advancements in the manufacturing sector.
Over the next decade, four million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the United States alone, according to MI, with opportunities to create, contribute and connect. One of the primary objectives of MFG Day is to inspire and engage the younger generation. By inviting students, educators and parents to facilities, companies can showcase the diverse career paths available in the industry.
Through engaging presentations and hands-on experiences, attendees can gain a better understanding of the possibilities in manufacturing, including engineering, design, production and management. By highlighting the latest innovations and technologies, MFG Day aims to bridge the skills gap and attract skilled workers to the industry.
Engaging, Educational Plans
Manufacturers and institutions across North America plan to participate, demonstrating their commitment to fostering talent in manufacturing.
Participants have put in a great deal of effort to make the event engaging and educational. Many will conduct workshops and demonstrations such as 3D printing demos, CNC machining simulations and virtual reality experiences. Others might have organized career fairs and panel discussions.
Several will display their machinery and technological advancements, providing a glimpse into the future of manufacturing and the digital transformation taking place in the industry. Events will take place throughout the month of October.
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Manufacturers Promote Participation
Schneider Electric, for example, will host a Sustainability in Manufacturing event on Oct. 5, at its plant in Columbia, Mo., and ABB will participate in six locations on Oct. 6., including Bartlesville and Westville, Okla.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Hackettstown, N.J.; Arecibo, Puerto Rico; and Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Also on Oct. 6, Protolabs is hosting a student event and grand opening at its newest metal 3D printing facility in Morrisville, N.C. The event will include presentations from internal experts on 3D printing, a facility tour of the DMLS facility and networking time with Protolab’s 3DP leaders.
North Easton Machine, a manufacturer of machine components in Easton, Mass., is hosting an open house with tours of its production floor. See the parts they make and how those parts contribute to the manufacture of a range of equipment from robotics to off-roading.
Lomar Machine and Tool, Horton, Mich., will host middle school students from the area, who will get to tour two facilities that include engineering, machine building, CNC mill, CNC lathe, manual machines, powder coating, painting, etching and more.
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On Oct. 12, CGI Windows and Doors in Hialeah, Fla. will be hosting high school students interested in learning more about supply chain management, operations management, quality assurance processes and business administration. Students will participate in interactive learning sessions instructed by the management team.
On Oct. 27 in Milford, Conn., Bead will host members of the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Executive Networking Group from across the country.
To host or find a MFG Day event, check out the MFG Day website.
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