Manufacturing Day opens doors and minds on career opportunites

Working together to address the skilled labor shortage in manufacturing, manufacturers across the nation participate in Manufacturing Day as an opportunity to change perception. Always the first Friday in October, thousands of manufacturers open their doors to the public to exhibit what they do in modern manufacturing. Many community and technical colleges also participate to educate the public on the changing nature of the industry and highlight the skills required for a well-paid career in the field. For information on a Manufacturing Day activity near you, organizers present an interactive map to find events in your area.

Addressing the skills gap in the equipment industry, a new workforce development toolkit from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) provides methods to kick start recruitment efforts with students and people entering the labor pool. AEM notes that while filling the workforce pipeline “won’t happen overnight,” the toolkit provides ideas that can be put into action immediately.