Looks like Kinexus has become a major trend setter once again. Recognizing that manufacturing plays a key role in Michigan’s Great Southwest, Kinexus elected this year to expand Manufacturing Day into a full week of activities focused on the industry, and now the entire state of Michigan is following suit.
With nearly 110,000 career openings through 2024 in the manufacturing industry in Michigan alone, Manufacturing Week plays a key role in helping students explore the opportunities that exist in the high-demand, high-wage field.
Spurred by the success of Kinexus and others, Gov. Rick Snyder has proclaimed September 30th through October 6th as Michigan Manufacturing Week, encouraging students and residents alike to reflect on the road Michigan has traveled as a manufacturing state and the bright future that lies ahead. An entire series of events will take place around the state next week, as part of the national recognition of Manufacturing Day, celebrating the role manufacturing plays in our lives and the state’s economy.
Snyder says, “Michigan’s unique manufacturers produce some of the best products in the world and ‘Made in Michigan’ means something truly special.” The Governor adds, “By continuing to attract and develop talent, and invest in skilled trades education and training, Michigan is primed to remain a global manufacturing leader for years to come.”
Manufacturing employs more than 600,000 Michigan residents. While the state is the global leader in automotive, Michigan workers manufacture a wide variety of products known around the state and around the world. According to the Michigan Manufacturers Association, there are nearly 11,400 manufacturers in the Great Lakes State.
Jeremy Hendges is Chief Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Talent & Economic Development. Hendges says, “Michigan has become an epicenter for manufacturing – creating more than 185,000 manufacturing jobs in the last nine years.” He adds, “These are great careers that give Michiganders the ability to make a difference – building things that move the state and the world. And by making sure students are aware of these careers and the skills needed to fill them, not only are we helping Michigan residents prosper, we’re keeping Michigan’s economy strong.”
This comes as the state recently unveiled its rejuvenated website designed to help students explore the wide array of careers – and the pathways to those careers – in the Professional Trades, including those in the manufacturing industry. Going-PRO.com is a student’s and job seeker’s one-stop online resource for exploring the wide array of Professional Trades careers throughout the state.
More than 200 events around the state will showcase modern manufacturing, the products created here in Michigan and career opportunities existing now and into the future.
Chuck Hadden is President & CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. He tells us, “Manufacturing has had a special place in the history of Michigan and its future is just as bright.” Haddn points out that, “One in every nine MFG Day events happens in the Great Lakes State and Michigan Manufacturing Week will further connect employers with local students to build awareness of exciting career opportunities.” He says, “I applaud Governor Snyder’s commitment to this industry and to skilled trades training like the Marshall Plan, Going PRO, and MMA’s own Prime Program.”
The manufacturing industry in Michigan represents one-fifth of the state’s gross state product and injects more than $93 billion into the global economy annually, showing the important role the industry plays in the state’s continued economic resurgence.
Manufacturers across Michigan opened their doors to students, parents, teachers, elected officials and community leaders more than 250 times during MFG Day 2017, leading the nation in overall events; an achievement expected to be repeated in 2018.
To learn more about Manufacturing Day 2018, click this link: http://www.mimfgday.com
To search for manufacturing careers in Michigan, click this link: http://www.going-pro.com/mfgweek
