The Greater Memphis Chamber partnered with WIN (Workforce Investment Network), Shelby County Schools C² Institute and 16 Mid-South manufacturing companies to celebrate National Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 5th, giving nearly 500 local students from 19 schools the opportunity to see firsthand the rewarding, high-paying careers available locally in the manufacturing industry.

On tours of these local manufacturing facilities, students received information on possible careers within the industry and the specific education and training needed get there. Each of these companies donated their time and resources to provide a tour to students:

The goal of Manufacturing Day each year is to promote advanced manufacturing careers in Memphis as well as the educational opportunities to qualify for these jobs. Students that are currently enrolled in skilled technical classes or other STEM curriculum were specifically sought out for this opportunity.

Advanced manufacturing is a significant part of the local economy and provides high-paying jobs to thousands of Memphians. This event is a highlight of our year and a win-win for the Chamber’s efforts to create economic opportunity for all, providing rewarding career exposure to Memphis high school students and support for our manufacturing companies through a pipeline of highly skilled workers.

Over the next decade, an estimated 3.5 million U.S. manufacturing jobs will be needed, and 2 million of those jobs are expected to go unfilled due to manufacturers’ inability to find talent with the required skills, according to the co-producers of National Manufacturing Day (National Association of Manufacturers, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership). Manufacturing Day in the Mid-South highlights the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy and showcases the rewarding, highly skilled jobs available in manufacturing fields.

This annual event is a team effort, made possible by the work of our partners in this event, each company who took the time to introduce these students to the manufacturing field and all of the teachers and staff who chaperoned tours and who support these students in the classroom every day.

#MFGDAY18