Dive Brief:
- Over 1,000 companies are hosting public events today in honor of Manufacturing Day, an annual celebration of the industry in an effort to shed light on its importance and increase interest in the sector. This is the fifth year the day has been celebrated nationally.
- While most statistics on the importance of manufacturing typically focus solely on the upstream supply chain, or the finished goods supply chain, up to 33% of economic production can be attributed to downstream manufacturing — or the production, sale, and transport of goods between manufacturers in support of a final product — according to a panel of experts kicking off the day at an event hosted by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) in Rockford, IL.
- The day is not only an attempt to recruit much-needed talent, but also a celebration of the contributions of manufacturers to the economy. The panel adds small manufacturers are among the most important pieces in the modern economy, and the day also seeks to support best practice sharing between companies of similar scale and interest.
Dive Insight:
One of the greatest challenges facing U.S. manufacturing today is recruitment. Young people who might have once considered employment in manufacturing now overlook its potential. The open invitation for site visits, educational sessions and networking events is an incredible opportunity for manufacturers nationally to correct that gap through early student engagement.
Participating in Manufacturing Day activities is likely to increase student interest in engineering careers before college, but more importantly, it is an opportunity for those engaged in supply chain roles to explain the rewards of pursuing a career in the complex field.
Rather than waiting for talent to choose supply chain management as a university major, executives can annually prod generations to see the career in the same light as engineering or medical education. A full list of Manufacturing Day events in your area can be found here.
