WASHINGTON — The Manufacturing Institute, the social impact arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and Ariel Corporation are joining forces to educate the next generation on 21st-century, modern manufacturing opportunities and inspire and recruit them to become the next generation of manufacturers.

As a Gold-Level sponsor of Manufacturing Day, Ariel Corporation is providing substantial support for the nation’s largest one-day celebration of manufacturing, which focuses on showing young people, parents and educators the opportunities a career in manufacturing offers.

“Manufacturers need the next generation to join the team. We thank our many generous sponsors, like Ariel Corporation, who are working together to show young people the future they can create in modern manufacturing,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, who also serves as board chairman of the Manufacturing Institute. “Our industry is facing a workforce crisis—with far more jobs open than we have people to fill them. It’s a challenge all manufacturers are tackling—but it also presents promising opportunities for those looking for a meaningful, rewarding career.”

“Ariel Corporation is leading the way in developing training programs for the modern manufacturing workforce,” said Karen Buchwald Wright, president and CEO of Ariel Corporation. “Our high school program, Manufacturing Fundamentals, introduces high schoolers to careers in machining, multi-skilled maintenance and mechanics. Our Blue Chip program is an intense 1000 hour program featuring college credit, and fulltime, on the job employment and training while in school for machine trades, multi-skilled maintenance and mechanics. Additionally, we have two-year degreed programs in machine trades and mechanics developed in partnership with Stark State College and Zane State College, respectively. We believe it’s up to us, as manufacturers, to partner with public educational institutions to develop and deliver the training we, and other manufacturers need for today, and for the future.”

“Our Manufacturing Day initiative provides so many great opportunities to show young people the endless possibilities of modern manufacturing and, thanks to Ariel Corporation’s leadership, I’m confident we’ll be able to inspire even more to picture themselves in an exciting new manufacturing career. That has never been more important,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Manufacturing faces an industry workforce crisis with nearly half a million jobs going unfilled today and millions more projected to go unfilled in the years to come. That’s why the Manufacturing Institute, in concert with good sponsors like Ariel Corporation, works so hard every day to promote modern manufacturing and jumpstart new approaches to growing manufacturing talent—especially through important programs like this one.”

First held in 2012 and organized by its founder—the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International—Manufacturing Day gives manufacturers the opportunity to address the skills gaps they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry as a whole. Learn more about Manufacturing Day and the significant impact this event has across the nation here.