Manufacturing Day 2013: Educating Communities about Careers and Addressing Industry Concerns
This is not your father’s job shop. Manufacturing today is drastically different than it was 50 years ago. But, for many people, manufacturing is not a career path they think of as viable or successful. That’s where Manufacturing Day comes in. The second annual Manufacturing Day is scheduled for October 4 and manufacturers across the country will be participating.
Manufacturing Day kicked off last year with the goal of drawing attention to the field of manufacturing and highlighting the availability of high-skill jobs. It is an opportunity for manufacturers to host an “open house” at their facilities to demonstrate what manufacturing is and what it isn’t. As an organized event, the focus of Manufacturing Day is to bring manufacturers together as a team to educate the communities they live in about the industry.
The support of industry sponsors and co-sponsors creates a platform for individual manufacturers to join as a group to work together on the challenges they face and to address their concerns. Joining forces empowers the industry to work together on issues that they are all facing, such as a dwindling skilled labor force, as well as educating their communities on the importance and vitality of the manufacturing sector.
Building on the successes of last year, organizers offer three events for manufacturers to consider when planning their activities for the day. These activities and tips aim to showcase the facility, the people, and the work. If you are planning to participate, these events should give you a place to start.
1. Plan a Plant Tour
This is the premier and core event for Manufacturing Day. It is pretty self explanatory too. Generisk CIALIS By inviting the community into the plant, they get to experience firsthand what manufacturing is all about. It can be as simple as a walk through or more elaborate with demos and hands-on activities. Inviting the media and local politicians to participate highlights the importance of community involvement. The more you can get people involved, the better!
2. Band together
Remember the saying “the more the merrier”? In this case it’s true! If you happen to work in an area with other small manufacturers, working together benefits the visitor’s experiences. Visiting different work environments highlights different aspects of manufacturing and expands visitor’s vision of the work being done.
3. Host a fair
An educational fair, that is. Plan on inviting high school and college guidance and career counselors in your area to Manufacturing Day events so that they have knowledge of the industry to pass on to students and parents. Invite the students too! Manufacturing Day is about educating communities to the vital work that manufacturers do so demonstrating this to students, teachers, and parents is a valuable tool for keeping the industry thriving.
Don’t just stop here: Manufacturing Day events can be tailored to your type of work and industry. Do you make parts for the auto industry? Then host a car show. Show how your industry interacts with the “real” world and people will make the connection.
