Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), held annually on the first Friday of October, presents an excellent opportunity for manufacturers to tackle workforce challenges. MFG Day is an initiative led by the Manufacturing Institute, the education and workforce development branch of the National Association of Manufacturers. During this event, thousands of manufacturers open their doors to students, parents, educators, and community leaders, offering an inside look at modern manufacturing careers and their potential.

By participating in MFG Day, manufacturers take a proactive role in addressing workforce demands and ensuring the sustainability of their businesses. MFG Day allows manufacturers to:

• Break down misconceptions and outdated views of manufacturing jobs by showcasing the industry's modern, high-tech environment.
• Inspire the next generation by highlighting the diverse career options, growth opportunities, and the positive impact manufacturing has on local communities.
• Forge relationships with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders that can lead to collaborations in workforce development, education, and apprenticeship programs.
• Highlight various career paths while emphasizing the industry's benefits, such as competitive wages, opportunities for continuous learning, and a stable, fulfilling work environment.

A key element of a successful Manufacturing Day is engaging with America's youth and those young at heart. This blog provides suggestions for how manufacturers can connect with audiences in ways that spark excitement about careers in manufacturing. Pro tip: Tap into your inner child and consider the hobbies people enjoy!

LEGOs: A Timeless Symbol of Manufacturing Excellence

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Acting Director G. Nagesh Rao has written about how he embraces his inner “tech LEGO nerd” with his massive LEGO collection. He is not alone. LEGOs are among the most popular toys in history with a fanbase of millions of people of all ages from around the planet. Even if you don’t play with LEGOs now, there’s a good chance you did at one point in your life.

Educators often use LEGOs to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, making them an ideal model for showcasing manufacturing excellence. Here's how LEGOs can serve as inspiration:

• Precision engineering: LEGO bricks are known for their impeccable fit, achieved through advanced manufacturing and quality control techniques.
• Innovation and creativity: Just like LEGOs foster creativity and problem-solving, manufacturers need these qualities to remain competitive.
• Customer engagement and loyalty: The LEGO Group has built a devoted community, demonstrating the power of strong customer connections - something manufacturers can emulate to strengthen their own brand loyalty.

Gaming: Manufacturing as a Real-Life Game Creation

During your MFG Day event, ask for a show of hands from those who enjoy video games—whether playing or exploring game development. You can draw a parallel between manufacturing and gaming by explaining how both involve designing, coding, and testing products that people use in their daily lives.

While gaming and manufacturing might seem unrelated, they share several key connections:

• Coding: Just as game developers write code for their games, manufacturers program cobots and other machinery, using the same problem-solving and logical thinking.
• Digital prototyping and 3D printing: Both industries rely on digital tools for prototyping. Games use 3D models to visualize environments and characters, while manufacturers utilize 3D printing for rapid physical prototyping.
• Quality control and testing: Testing is crucial in both fields- games are rigorously tested to eliminate bugs, and manufacturing ensures products meet strict quality standards.
• Innovation and creativity: Both industries thrive on innovation. Game developers push the limits of technology, which manufacturers most continuously innovate to remain competitive and meet customer demands.

Cosplay: Craftsmanship Mirrors Product Design

Like gaming, cosplay blends creativity with technology. When designing costumes and props inspired by favorite TV or video game characters, cosplayers follow a process similar to product design- considering production techniques, materials, dimensions, functionality, and durability. Cosplayers often dive into computer coding and programming, so why not explore manufacturing?

For cosplayers, bringing characters to life closely aligns with the product development journey.

Just as crafting the ideal cosplay requires attention to detail, manufacturing is about transforming ideas into tangible, real-world products.

Engage Your Audience by Being Relatable

To effectively connect with students and others, try to view the world from their perspective and link manufacturing to their interests and hobbies. Many creative pastimes naturally lead to careers in manufacturing. Tailor your messaging to highlight how manufacturing blends both creativity and technical skills.

When planning your presentation or demonstration, keep these key points in mind:

• Emphasize creativity and problem-solving, whether you're showcasing design, development, or the creation of new products.
• Provide hands-on learning opportunities, like building simple prototypes or showing how to program a cobot.
• Use clear, relatable language. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms, and explain any industry terms your audience will encounter. This will help them better understand and engage with the experience.

Contact Manufacture Nevada For Help with Manufacturing Day

Manufacturing Day offers you a chance to connect with people and share how your company contributes to the community and local economy. It also offers you a chance to address future workforce needs by connecting students' passions to the exciting career opportunities available and inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. Reach out to our Business Advisors to learn more about how you can leverage Manufacturing Day for your company.

Content from this blog was sourced from NIST MEP.