On October 2, the Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers—kicked off Manufacturing Month in North Carolina with the MFG Day 2025 flagship event at Novonesis’ North American headquarters in Franklinton. 

MFG Day is the MI’s grassroots movement to bring students out of the classroom and into manufacturing facilities to see up close the many career opportunities available in modern manufacturing. The push comes as manufacturers continue to prioritize workforce development and close the skills gap. Right now, there are over 400,000 open jobs in manufacturing, many going unfilled because manufacturers cannot find workers with the right skillsets to fill the roles.

By seeing modern manufacturing firsthand, manufacturers and educators can spark interest in manufacturing as a career choice and encourage students to pursue the education and certifications that put them on the path toward high-paying, in-demand jobs.

“People can’t be what they can’t see,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Today, students got to see firsthand the many career opportunities available in modern manufacturing. We’re so grateful to Novonesis for helping expose local students to all that our industry has to offer.”

More than 300 Franklin County students, statewide education partners and community leaders were invited to Novonesis’ state-of-the-art facilities. Students toured production facilities, stepped into advanced biotechnology labs and participated in interactive STEM demonstrations designed to showcase the integration of science and manufacturing. Rotating immersive tours featured biosolutions’ origin story, research and development, and the role of biosolutions in daily life. From the fermentation shop floor and control room to engaging with workforce development and community college programs, students were able to see the full array of opportunities available to them in modern manufacturing.

“When students walk through our doors, they see that manufacturing today is about innovation, sustainability and meaningful careers,” said Novonesis North America President Tue Micheelsen. “It opens their eyes to possibilities they may never have imagined.” 

In addition to hosting the flagship event in North Carolina, the biosolutions manufacturer also is opening up its doors to students in Virginia, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

MFG Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday of October, but events happen nationwide all month long. For more information, visit mfgday.com or www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.