The Manufacturing Institute, the charitable nonprofit workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, announces the official start to MFG Day 2020, which will run through October. The MI’s flagship initiative, MFG Day, showcases the many and diverse modern manufacturing careers and addresses the skills gap, which may leave more than 2.4 million American jobs unfilled by 2028 due to outdated misconceptions surrounding the industry and the lack of highly skilled workers to fill those jobs.

MFG Day encourages companies and educational institutions around the nation to host events where students, parents, teachers and community leaders can learn more about the exciting field of modern manufacturing. These events, which range from virtual—and safe in person—factory tours to panels featuring the world’s leading CEOs, help the country’s next generation of workforce talent better understand the well-paying career opportunities modern manufacturing offers as well as what a modern manufacturing career looks like, including:

• The chance to work in a diverse range of companies manufacturing offers, from small, local businesses to global Fortune 500 companies, in exciting industries, from aerospace to pharmaceuticals;
• Earning $88,406 annually on average, including pay and benefits;
• Working in an industry that employs more than 12.13 million workers across the country;
• Hands-on experience with the most innovative technology, including 3D printing, drones and virtual reality;
• The opportunity to work on real, tangible products that improve people’s lives, from lifesaving medical equipment to food products; and
• Career growth that starts at entry level but allows for additional training and promotion opportunities.

“As we celebrate MFG Day across the country over the next month, we are reminded of the important role that modern manufacturing plays in each of our lives. From the masks and clothes we wear to the food we eat, modern manufacturing is at the heart of our country and, as the pandemic continues, will lead the way to our recovery and renewal,” said MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “This year’s MFG Day, more so than ever before, is a uniquely powerful opportunity to bring awareness to the high-paying, rewarding and meaningful career opportunities in our industry and to open minds to what’s possible with a career in modern manufacturing.”

Transforming the annual tradition of manufacturing open houses into a series of mostly virtual events, this year’s MFG Day will be like no other, with opportunities for more connection, reach and participation across the industry and the country without the limitations of physical events and travel. This year, MFG Day will be celebrated with more than 300 events throughout October kicking off on Friday, Oct. 2, with the flagship event “Creators Wanted: A Program for America’s Students” sponsored by MFG Day’s National Sponsors Microsoft, PTC and Salesforce, featuring leaders in the manufacturing industry and Netflix star Emily Dawn Calandrelli of Emily’s Wonder Lab. A full schedule of national, local and regional events can be found at creatorswanted.org.

To reach more people across the country and meet the needs of this unique moment in time, MFG Day will run throughout October, Manufacturing Month, and will feature engaging virtual events on CreatorsWanted.org, including the following events:

• Friday, Oct. 2, at 12:00 p.m. EDT – The official kick-off to MFG Day with the following special guests and speakers:
o Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the NAM
o Dr. Walt Copan, undersecretary of commerce for standards and technology and NIST director
o Emily Dawn Calandrelli, The Space Gal, host and co-executive producer, Emily’s Wonder Lab o Carolyn Lee, executive director, the MI
o Jenny Gai, industry solutions manager, Salesforce
o Matt Miller, build prep supervisor, SLS, Protolabs
o Chelle Travis, executive director, SkillsUSA
o Richard Grimsley, director, career and technical education, Dallas ISD
o Leah Curry, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana

• Monday, Oct. 5, at 12:00 p.m. EDT – A program honoring National Teachers’ Day that will highlight how teachers and educators can use their role to inspire the next generation of creators, featuring Allen Gannett, technology entrepreneur and author of The Creative Curve.
• Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 12:00 p.m. EDT – A deep dive into creators’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented by Walmart; the event will feature an interview of manufacturers involved in the nation’s COVID-19 response by legendary broadcaster Elvis Duran.

MFG Day is receiving great support from both the private and public sectors. The governors of Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, New Mexico, Ohio and West Virginia have all issued proclamations celebrating the day and marking October as a time to celebrate the importance of manufacturing and its contributions to our local and national communities.

The platform of MFG Day for manufacturers to educate and inspire new talent is made possible by the support of leading American businesses, including National Sponsors Salesforce, PTC and Microsoft and Platinum Sponsors Walmart and ABB.

Other sponsors include Gold Sponsors Siemens, Polaris and Emerson; Silver Sponsors NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Kronos, Ceridian and Plex; State Sponsors Ohio MEP Network and Ohio Manufacturers’ Association; and Industry Sponsors The Plastics Industry Association and Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Additional sponsors include Stanley Black & Decker and Marvin.

As sponsors, all of these companies have signaled their commitment to highlighting the essential and innovative work modern manufacturers do and energizing a future pipeline of skilled workers.

For more information, visit www.creatorswanted.org.