Save the date: Oct. 4 is this year’s Manufacturing Day (MFG Day)—and there’s no shortage of preparation and excitement for educating and exposing future generations of workers to careers in manufacturing. We take the pulse of several regions in the U.S. to understand how MFG Day events are a catalyst to attract talent year-round.
Walmart, Stratasys, AK Steel and other companies of all sizes will participate in events for this year’s National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), which is the first Friday of every October.
Whether hosting students at manufacturing plants or participating in a local event at a high school or college, MFG Day educates hundreds of thousands of students every year on the technologies and career paths available today—and in the near future.
In 2018, the National Association of Manufacturers estimated that MFG Day reached 200,000 students and parents through 2,100 events. Founding partner Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International, started MFG Day in 2012. This year’s event is slated for Oct. 4.
“Manufacturing is a huge economic driver in Minnesota, employing more than 321,000 Minnesotans,” says Rich Garrity, Americas president of Stratasys, in a statement. “As the world’s premier 3D printing company, we’re working with leading manufacturers every day to reimagine how things are made … We are proud to support MFG Day, which showcases the diverse, high-paying careers our industry offers.”
To get a sense of what this year’s MFG Day will be like, we spoke with representatives from South Texas College, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York and Tooling U-SME.
The Need for National Manufacturing Day and Beyond: The Skills Landscape
One simple fact is hard to deny: A good portion of manufacturing workers are retiring or finding new jobs—and the loss of embedded knowledge is top of mind.
“As we all well know, the ‘silver tsunami’ is happening,” says Michele Clark, a senior marketing specialist for Tooling U-SME. “And new generations coming into the field are different and have different expectations and needs.”
More than one-third of respondents in Tooling U-SME’s 2018 “Industry Pulse: Manufacturing Workforce Report” stated that more than 20 percent of their workforce would be eligible for retirement in the next three years. The report also found 43 percent of manufacturers have annual turnover rates of 20 percent or higher.
It’s not surprising that 59 percent of companies cited the loss of knowledge as a serious challenge to overcome. The report’s authors advocate for the following:
“The transfer of incumbent knowledge must take place now. The status quo is no longer an option—structured programs that capture institutional knowledge are now a ‘must-have’ for manufacturers looking to grow their business.”
Tooling U-SME is not alone in its assessment of the job and employment landscape for manufacturing.
“Our employers are still suffering from the challenges that existed last year and the year before,” says Martha Ponge, director of apprenticeships at MACNY, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York. “We do not have enough middle-skilled workers to fill the number of job openings that exist in our community. We do not have enough entry-level workers coming in that will allow us to fill the pipeline.”
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Hi
I would like to have the phone # if it's possible. Thank, Paul
21Hi Paul, Here is the contact # from https://www.mfgday.com. (202) 637-3426. Can we help you with something?
21Would you please quote your best price with firm delivery time for:
100 each Touch Under Fire - Master Lock by today Monday - 30th before 5 pm ?
Mathew
Sales@Metronixinc.com
24To request a product quote please call customer service at 800-645-7270. Hope this helps.
22Trate de hacer una compra y no se hizo el cargo a mi tarjeta tengo número de pedido llamo al 8007270 y no tengo respuesta
24Thank you for this informational article on the initiative to close the skills gap for various jobs. It's definitely necessary to evaluate this issue in light of constantly changing educations. Keep up the good work!
24Thanks for the positive feedback Adrienne!
23Leave a reply
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