The local participation in a national event called Manufacturing Day has grown significantly since it was first held last year.
The annual awareness campaign, which is being held on Friday, October 4, opens manufacturing facilities to the public, particularly students, to demonstrate career options in the industry. Last year, the Milwaukee area hosted three Manufacturing Day events.
This year, Wisconsin will play host to 34 events on or around Manufacturing Day, most of which are in southeastern Wisconsin.
Several of the businesses participating are located in Waukesha County, said Suzanne Kelley, president of the Waukesha County Business Alliance.
“We are working with about 10 manufacturers in Waukesha County who have agreed to open their doors on October 4 and offer tours to parents, students, teachers and the public,” Kelly said.
Most of the Waukesha businesses participating in Manufacturing Day are members of the WCBA, she said. The organization’s Manufacturing Alliance leads efforts throughout the year to get students interested and interacting with the industry.
“We definitely have a lot of engagement this year,” she said. “Employers are more organized than ever to address the skills gap issue and this is the second year, so I think we’re seeing some momentum build and I expect we’ll continue to see that year after year.”
Racine County Workforce Development Center will kick things off with a panel discussion, “Our Company, Your Career,” on Friday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Manufacturing professionals will introduce their companies, products and opportunities so attendees can gain industry insight about manufacturers driving the local economy.
Businesses offering tours and open houses in October include: Waukesha Metal Products in Sussex, TLX Technologies LLC in Pewaukee, GenMet Corp. in Mequon, Super Steel LLC in Milwaukee, Kieffer Signs in Sheboygan, Rentapen Inc. in Waukesha, Weldall Mfg. Inc. in Waukesha, Tailored Label Products Inc. in Menomonee Falls, Ultra Tool & Manufacturing in Menomonee Falls, DUECO Inc. in Waukesha, Aries Industries in Waukesha, MetalTek International in Waukesha, Generac Power Systems in Eagle, Xten Industries in Kenosha, Cooper Power Systems in Waukesha, Pioneer Products in Racine, Twin Disc in Racine, Nelson Bros. & Strom Co. in Racine, Modine Manufacturing Company in Racine and Wiscon Products in Racine.
Gov. Scott Walker has also declared October Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin to highlight the industry’s importance to the state economy and call attention to its careers.
For most of the tours, students under 18 should be accompanied by parents or teachers and groups of five or more should register in advance. Some businesses have dress codes for tours.
For more information or to register, visit www.mfgday.com/events. For more information about Manufacturing Month, visit www.wimanufacturingmonth.org.
