19 Oct MFG DAY: not your grandfather’s factory job
Charlotte Works joined forces with the Manufacturing Institute and other co-producers to celebrate National Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) on Friday, October 4.
Although Charlotte Works didn’t sponsor an event, the organization does support the MFG DAY mission:
“MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.
“Supported by a group of industry sponsors and co-producers, MFG DAY is designed to amplify the voice of individual manufacturers and coordinate a collective chorus of manufacturers with common concerns and challenges. The rallying point for a growing mass movement, MFG DAY empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.”
“Charlotte continues to be a mecca for manufacturing jobs, but out talent pool is running short,” says Steve Partridge, Charlotte Works’ president and CEO. “We have to take advantage of every opportunity to educate the workforce of tomorrow about the types of jobs and skills necessary to succeed in these well-paying careers.”
What did Charlotte Works do?
Charlotte Works tweeted a series of daily facts starting September 27 to share information about modern manufacturing in the Charlotte region, North Carolina and nationally, and to direct interested parties to the MFG DAY website.
We also produced a Advanced Manufacturing Fact Sheet that we invite you to print and share.
Most exciting, though, was the launch of our brand new career paths on charlotteworks.com with a pathway dedicated to local opportunities in advanced manufacturing. The brightly colored, interactive infographic has been designed to showcase multiple occupations and their career ladders in a way that appeals to both youth and adults seeking a career change or upgrade.
What happened in North Carolina?
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker kicked off MFG Day events in the state from the campus of N.C. State University. The NC State University Industrial Extension Service (IES), manufacturers and educators hosted the public celebration, which included multiple screenings of a new documentary film about manufacturing in the United States, American Made Movie; campus laboratory tours; “Made in N.C.” product displays, NC State Howling Cow creamery ice cream and more.
Governor Pat McCrory also proclaimed October 4 as Manufacturing Day in North Carolina.
What happened around the country?
Educational institutions, manufacturers and others hosted more than 800 events on MFG DAY to educate students and other visitors about manufacturing in their neighborhoods.
Community leaders echoed McCrory’s support for MFG DAY and the manufacturing industry with similar proclamations and declarations.
About MFG DAY
Manufacturing Day is an annual national event, executed at the local level, that supports hundreds of manufacturers across the nation that host students, teachers, parents, job-seekers and other local community members at open houses designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers. A panel of co-producers comprised of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA); the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM); the Manufacturing Institute (MI); the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP); and guest producer Industrial Strength Marketing (ISM) provide the centralized support necessary to coordinate this nationwide array of simultaneous events. The national media partner for the event is the Science Channel.