Mt. Clemens, MI - Macomb County has announced that its annual Manufacturing Day, one of the largest celebrations of Manufacturing Day in the country, will be held online as Manufacturing Week from Monday, September 28 through Friday, October 2.
For the last six years, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) has hosted a Manufacturing Day event with the Macomb Intermediate School District to provide opportunities for students to tour area advanced manufacturing facilities and meet people who make things. However, the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted the ability to host in-person tours. Organizers therefore created a weeklong digital experience for the 2020 event.
“Manufacturing Day helps showcase the appeal of modern manufacturing careers,” said Vicky Rad, director, MCPED. “In previous years, the initiative encouraged thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders and to teach them about the inner workings of the industry. This year, we adjusted the Manufacturing Day experience to ensure the opportunity remains in place, but to also protect the health and safety of everyone involved.”
Registration is currently open for Macomb County’s Manufacturing Week at www.macombmfgday.com. The digital experience will feature six companies virtually showcasing their facilities through secure Zoom meetings. It will also include company overviews and interviews with workers, who will discuss their educational pathways and why they decided on advanced manufacturing for their careers. Afterwards, teachers, students and their families will be able to explore each facility through a 3D virtual tour.
“Students, teachers and parents can tune in to Manufacturing Week live, or watch at their leisure,” Rad said. “The videos will be available online for the next year so families can explore the manufacturing industry together and discuss potential career options. Figuring out what profession to pursue can be a challenge for young people. Our goal is to give them every resource possible to help them with their decisions.”
The Manufacturing Week schedule features:
- Monday, September 28th @ 11:30 a.m.; RCO Engineering
- Monday, September 28th @ 3 p.m.; Avon Machining
- Tuesday, September 29th @ 7:30 a.m.; Fori Automation
- Wednesday, September 30th @ 3 p.m.; Paslin
- Thursday, October 1st @ 11:30 a.m.; Michigan Production Machining
- Friday, October 2nd @ 7:30 a.m.; Triumph Group
Macomb Community College, Michigan Works! Young Professionals and Ferris State University will also have virtual exhibit booths.
Manufacturing Week is made possible through the support of several sponsors, including Avon Manufacturing, Fori Automation, Michigan Production Machining, Paslin, RCO Engineering and Triumph Group. To sign up or for additional information regarding Manufacturing Week, visit macombmfgday.com.
About Macomb County Planning and Economic Development
The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development supports an environment where businesses prosper and people thrive. Its activities and programs are focused on stimulating the local economy through business retention, expansion and attraction while improving the overall quality of life for residents. The department specializes in providing services to businesses at all stages of development with a concentration on the high-growth industries of aerospace, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, defense and homeland security. For more information, call 586-469-5285 or visit: https://ped.macombgov.org/Ped-Home