Macomb Today

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) has announced the return of Manufacturing Day, which this year, will be celebrated for an entire week as MFG Day Week. Starting October 3 through October 7, local high school students will have the opportunity to tour area advanced manufacturing facilities and learn more about the many interesting and well paying jobs the industry has to offer.

“We hope to connect classrooms with careers and to inspire our future workforce,” said Vicky Rowinski, director, MCPED. “Ultimately, our goal is to have 2,000 students join us from all 27 Macomb County high schools. It’s a big lift, but with our partners, host sites and sponsors, we know it’s possible. Because over the last nine years, we’ve had 14,000 students take part in Manufacturing Day.”

MCPED is currently seeking interested host sites and sponsors for the weeklong event. Interested parties can choose the day and time for their involvement, which gives them a chance to promote their companies and interact with young people interested in manufacturing. Those students receive a 90-120 minute guided tour and some combination of the following:

• Briefing by a company leader who provides an overview of the company, the type of manufacturing they do and the customers they serve as well as info about employment opportunities.
• Smaller sub-tours that highlight different work areas and careers
• Opportunities for students to talk with employees and see the product life cycle in action
• Opportunities for students to see and touch the machinery, tools and products that are a part of the industrial workplace

These experiences help the students better understand what a career in advanced manufacturing might look like. Several participating companies have even hired previous Manufacturing Day attendees that were interested in the field.

“We’ve seen real connections come out of our Manufacturing Day events,” Rowinski said. “And given current workforce challenges, like talent shortages and other issues, our program is especially relevant. We’re helping create a pipeline that can supply workers and solve real problems facing our local businesses.”

Companies interested in participating in the 2022 celebration can visit MacombBusiness.com to learn more and to sign up.

_{Source: https://ped.macombgov.org/ped-PlansAnnouncedFor9thAnnualManufacturingDayInMacombCountyHostSitesAndSponsorsNeeded}