Bridging the Skills Gap: Manufacturing Day Videos

Manufacturing Day℠ is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. The annual event officially occurs on the first Friday in October, which this year lands on October 2. Also known as “MFG DAY”, the event addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers are addressing the skilled labor shortage they face, connecting with future generations, taking charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensuring the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

Wowing the Kids

During the events many companies capture videos to share the experience more broadly. Each year there’s a video contest, and by viewing these you can see the awestruck kids soaking it all in and thoroughly enjoying the world of manufacturing. Take a look at a couple of these videos and you’ll see what we mean:

Sparkfun Electronics (Lower Midwest Region Winner): Sparkfun’s kooky video definitely lives up to their name. We see how truly fun it is to work in this manufacturing environment, where manufacturing geeks unleash their creativity. Looks like kids are lining up to join the roster!

Waukesha^® Metal Products (2014 Grand Prize Winner): In this video, science and engineering students visit Waukesha Metal Products and learn that “making things is cool.” (The photo above was taken from this video.)

This year Okuma will unveil a video tribute to manufacturing on September 30th. Stay tuned to our blog for this and other noteworthy manufacturing topics (feel free to subscribe using the “Stay Informed” box at the upper right).