Recently, a group of public and private organizations announced the launch of Manufacturing Day for October 5, 2012 to highlight the importance of manufacturing to the nation's economy and draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill jobs available in manufacturing fields.
The effort is being co-produced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the U.S. Commerce Department's Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Wisconsin MEP, Illinois MEP, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Manufacturing Institute.
A long list of trade associations and private companies have joined the effort as sponsors that includes, but is not limited to, the Association of Manufacturing Excellence, EcO15, Manpower, National Tooling & Machining Association, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the U. S. Census Bureau, and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Services.
The goal of the sponsors is to rally the manufacturing community to host open houses, public tours, career workshops and other events held at participating facilities to introduce as many people as possible to the important role played by manufacturing both in local communities and for the nation and the new manufacturing reality: clean and lean facilities with highly-skilled employees implementing advanced technologies and processes. The grassroots events will also introduce manufacturers to business improvement resources and services delivered through the MEP's network of more than 400 affiliated centers across the country.
"Manufacturing Day will be the ‘coming out party’ for U.S. manufacturers all across the nation," said Ed Youdell, president and CEO of FMA, a professional organization with nearly 2,500 members working together to improve the metal processing, forming and fabricating industry. "October 5th is dedicated to celebrating the great work and innovation of the 12 million men and women who make the United States the world's largest manufacturing economy. FMA and MEP centers are encouraging their members and manufacturers to open their doors to their local school kids, community college students, press, and job seekers so that they can see firsthand the safe, high-tech and innovative work environments that await the best and brightest who pursue careers in manufacturing."
"Manufacturing is a crucial part of the national economy," said Buckley Brinkman, executive director and CEO of WMEP. "It drives value creation, innovation and employment throughout the country, and we want to show our communities the opportunities available in manufacturing today. Our future depends on our ability to strengthen and advance this vital sector and Manufacturing Day can accelerate that process."
When the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) announced its sponsorship of “Manufacturing Day,” Chairman Roger Atkins said, “NTMA has long advocated ‘marketing manufacturing to America’ to promote the importance of our industry, and Manufacturing Day is an excellent way to publicize manufacturing and highlight the lucrative career opportunities available at our member companies. We are proud of our industry’s continuing growth and contributions to communities across America, and look forward to helping promote the industry on October 5th.”
“There are an estimated 600,000 job openings in manufacturing,” said NTMA President Dave Tilstone. “Our members work in key U.S. industries like aerospace and defense and some companies have a backlog of production extending to 2030. In order to capture these opportunities, companies must maintain and expand their skilled workforce by building the ranks of highly trained workers. Our industry offers great career opportunities to Americans looking for interesting and challenging career paths, and initiatives like ‘Manufacturing Day’ help to get that message across to a broader audience.” NTMA’s over 1,300 member companies design and manufacture special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, gages, special machines and precision-machined parts.
