Hundreds of manufacturers around the country will open their doors to the public on October 6 for Manufacturing Day. The annual event has grown to be an important tool for the industry to showcase itself to the workforce.
Manufacturing Day was started in 2012 by the National Association of Manufacturers and celebrates modern manufacturing in a collected offer that brings together students, teachers, media and business leaders to educate the country about the industry. NAM said Manufacturing Day aims to empower manufacturers, change public perception about the industry, highlight its economic impacts, and introduce more people to available career opportunities.
Last year’s event attracted nearly 600,000 people, including more than 260,000 students. Deloitte conducted a follow up survey of students who participated and found that 84 percent said there were more manufacturers providing interesting and rewarding careers. More than 60 percent said they were motivated to pursue careers in the industry, while 71 percent said they were more likely to tell friends, family, parents and colleagues about the event.
Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said Manufacturing Day offers a unique opportunity for manufacturers to show their community and future employees the opportunity for innovative and high-paying careers in the industry. “It’s exciting to see what a powerful impact these events had on the public’s perception of the manufacturing economy and the meaningful careers that exist in our industry,” Timmons said.
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, told the Detroit Free Press that Manufacturing Day has become an important component of the company’s efforts to address its growing talent needs. Barra said technology will create more changes in the auto industry in the next five years than it has in the past 50 years. As baby boomers continue to retire, the workforce will need to rely more on younger workers.
“It’s my hope more students joint us in the technical fields required to lead the future of mobility,” Barra said.
Andra Rush, chairman of the Rush Group of Companies told the Free Press that the events aim to educate not only students themselves, but also inform parents that manufacturing is not the dirty, dangerous and dull work it used to be. “Manufacturing Day gives us a way to reach schoolchildren, parents and educators through manufacturing experiences to shift perceptions,” Rush said.
Cooper Tire plays a big role in Manufacturing Day and says it has connected with more than 30,000 students through the events. The company said in a press release that it will host hands-on interactive events at a number of its facilities throughout October. Interactive stations will demonstrate things like procurement, mixing and finishing, tire design, equipment design, maintenance and logistics.
“Cooper is working to attract students to manufacturing careers by giving young people hands-on experience that mimics what it’s like to work in the tire industry,” said John Bollman, Cooper’s Senior vice President and Chief of Human Resources.
Manufacturing Day has a complete listing of events on its website.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
