FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elkhart County, Indiana ( September 29, 2017)– Starting Monday, October 2 and continuing through Wednesday, October 11, the second annual Elkhart County Manufacturing Days will provide approximately 1922 8th grade students the opportunity to visit local manufacturers to explore the diverse education and career path ways available today in manufacturing. Founded in 2012, Manufacturing Day is a nationwide annual celebration of modern manufacturing during which manufacturers invite students and educators to visit their operations in a collective effort to showcase manufacturing career opportunities, technological advances and to improve public perceptions of modern manufacturing.
This year, all ten middle schools in Elkhart County are participating in this event, including, Bethany, Concord, Fairfield, Goshen, Jim town, North Side, Northridge, Northwood, Pierre Moran, and West Side. This explosive growth of this event spurred the creation of a new curriculum collaboratively created by Elkhart County school’s representatives for the student’s continued education of the Manufacturing Industry. Parent Events will also be held throughout Elkhart County after the company visits in October at each of the participating middle schools. The Parent Events will provide the opportunity to educate parent and families on the diverse career and financial opportunities available in Elkhart County’s manufacturing facilities.
MFG Week is an opportunity to:
• Learn the truth about manufacturing and manufacturing careers
• Inspire a new generation of manufacturers
• Learn what is being made in our community
• Encourage entrepreneurship and inspire creativity
One of the main challenges facing manufacturers today is a growing gap in skilled labor:
• 84% of executives surveyed agree there is a talent shortage in U.S. manufacturing*
• Six out of ten open skilled production positions are unfilled due to this talent shortage*
• Over the next decade, nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed, and 2
Million are expected to go unfilled due to the skills gap*
Students need to know:
• Manufacturers have the highest tenure in the private sector.* (National Manufacturer’s Association)
• The annual average salary of manufacturing workers I more than $77,000* (National Manufacturer’s Association)
• 90% of manufacturing workers have medical benefits.* (National Manufacturer’s Association)
• There are many career opportunities within manufacturing – including human resources, accounting, purchasing, logistics, and more!
This year National Manufacturing Day is Friday, October 6. On this day, manufacturers from across the country will open their doors to those interested in learning about what truly goes on in progressive manufacturing industries, and the great opportunities that are available throughout the industry. Elkhart Manufacturing Week 2017 is facilitated and funded through the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Horizon Education Alliance (HEA), with significant financial support from Chemical Bank, Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Insight Accounting, Key Bank, Monogram Foods, and Thor Industries. Additional sponsors include: ABC 57, American Countryside Farmer’s Market, Burkhart Advertising, The Center Six One Five, Dal-mar Catering TLH Inc, Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Hawkins Water, Krogers, Maple City Printing, Martin’s Supermarket, Matterhorn Catering, MSC Industrial Supply, Nelson’s Chicken and Catering, Paragon Printing, RV/MH Hall of Fame, Smoker Craft Inc, and the Spohn Ballroom. The following manufacturers and supporting organizations will host tours:
• Actia
• Agdia
• Alpha Systems
• Ancon
• Aluminum Trailer Company
• Bearcat Corporation
• Benteler Automotive
• Challenger Door
• Commodore Homes
• Conn-Selmer
• Creative Bus Sales
• Dexter Axle
• Dometic
• Dynamic Metals
• Elkhart Plastics
• Furrion
• GDC
• Genesis Products
• Goshen Stamping
• Hoosier Crane
• Indiana Plastics
• J&N Stone
• Jayco
• Kem Krest
• Kessington
• KIB Electronics
• KIK Custom Products
• Kobelco Compressors
• Kountry Wood Products
• L & W Engineering
• Lippert Components
• Lycro Products
• MasterBrand Cabinets
• MORryde International
• NIBCO
• Northern Indiana Axle
• Patrick Industries
• Reschcor
• Robert Weed Plywood
• Satellite Industries
• Shield Restraint Systems
• Smoker Craft
• Southwest Welding
• Stair Supplies
• Tenneco
• Thor Motor Coach
• Transhield
• Universal Trailer
• Utilimaster
• Veada Industries
• Vista Manufacturing
• Welch Packaging
• Wieland Designs
Manufacturing Week is a unique event which focuses on educating the youth in our county on the opportunities available to them within the manufacturing industry. If you would like to learn more about National Manufacturing Day and the events nationwide, you can also visit www.mfgday.com
Media Contact:
Chris Stager
EDC of Elkhart County
574.293.5627
chris@elkhartcountybiz.com