MFG Day is around the corner; have you started planning your event? Officially held on October 1, 2021 (the first Friday in October, by presidential decree), MFG Day (short for “manufacturing”) is an important way to introduce students, educators, and the general public to your company and careers within the wood manufacturing industry.
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Manufacturing Institute (MI) launched MFG Day in 2012 to promote careers in manufacturing. The Creators Wanted/MFG Day website features a searchable database of events taking place across the country. Each company host can publish their event on the MFG Day website (it’s free and easy!) and students and educators can search for in-person events in their area (and virtual events). According to the MFG Day website, in order for an event to qualify and be published on the site, it:
There is a significant skills gap in the manufacturing industry, and over 4 million jobs will need to be filled within the U.S. over the next decade (Manufacturing Institute). In the wood industry, this includes jobs like CNC machinist, operator, and technician, CAD designer, and production workers. Onsite events such as plant tours have proven to be one of the most effective and impactful ways to inform people about career opportunities.
According to Julia Asoni, Senior Director of Student Engagement at the Manufacturing Institute:
While Friday, October 1 is the official 2021 MFG Day, an event can take place ANY day in October or throughout the year! As you begin planning your event, first reach out to your local school (middle school, high school and post secondary) to determine their schedule and whether students are able to attend in person events this year. (In some areas, a virtual tour might be a better option if field trips and activities are not yet permitted.)
The Manufacturing Institute has developed a comprehensive resource site to help companies through the process of developing, planning and hosting an event. They also produced four webinars about different and important aspects of event hosting. Watch the webinars here:
MFG Day Webinar 1: MFG Day Intro and How to Get Started
MFG Day Webinar 2: Accessing Resources for Planning Your Event
MFG Day Webinar 3: Best Practices for Engaging Events
MFG Day Webinar 4: Host Messaging and Promotion Tips
If you have a relationship with a local manufacturer and don’t see an event listed, reach out to them and encourage them to consider hosting one!