Manufacturing Day is on the Way—Make a Difference

Coming up quickly is the third annual Manufacturing Day, October 3, 2014, when hundreds of industry-leading organizations will do their part to promote careers in manufacturing to students, community leaders and others. There’s absolutely no better for metalforming and fabricating companies to begin to narrow the skills gap than by participating in this annual image-polishing exercise. And, it’s becoming increasingly simple to join in the festivities, thanks to the enormous stash of resources housed on the Manufacturing Day website.

Companies joining the Manufacturing Day celebration can host plant tours and informational sessions, to spread the word about the exciting and rewarding opportunities that exist for the next generation of workers in our industry. This is your chance to address common misperceptions about manufacturing, and connect with future generations to help ensure the ongoing prosperity not just of your company, but of the entire industry.

“Manufacturing Day is important because it allows metalforming companies to raise awareness in their communities about 21st century manufacturing,” says PMA President Bill Gaskin. “Our members can show off their use of computers, robots and automation, counteracting outdated misperceptions with the reality of today’s high tech manufacturing.”

I urge all readers to consider participating—there’s strength in numbers, and we simply must get the word out. The time is now—start with a visit to the Manufacturing Day website. Among the resources you’ll find there:

• Descriptions of the three types of recommended Manufacturing Day events—plant tour, a manufacturing community (collaborative efforts by manufacturers sharing an industrial park), and educational fair (typically housed by a community or technical college).

• A Manufacturing Day Host Toolkit, with a detailed event checklist on how to set up an event, organize a facility tour, prepare displays and literature and plan to host media representatives.

• The Manufacturing Day Social Media Playbook, a downloadable roadmap to organizing your use of website banners, creating event listings and other outlets for promoting your event.

• Seven tips for making an openhouse a success, including creating a hands-on display and suggestions for creating and sending out invitations to elected officials, potential customers and the media.

• Six tips on how to best share your company’s story with attendees/people from outside your industry, including avoiding the use of jargon and presenting interesting facts and anecdotes.

Technologies: Management

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