October 2017 MiMfg Magazine 11
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“ very October , manufacturers from around the globe come together to promote exciting industry careers — it ’ s called MFG Day and the 10 / 6 / 17 celebration may have been the best one yet . With almost 10 percent of all MFG Day events happening in Michigan , the industry again lit up the eyes of students , parents , teachers and local leaders to the incredible career potential offered in manufacturing .
Facility tours and career fairs dominated the day , yet one event in southwest Michigan took it a step further to engage students in realizing career opportunities and driving new connections between manufacturers and elected officials .
[ MFG Day ] gives [ students ] the opportunity to see what we do locally and the other products we make . Hopefully we ’ ve sparked some enthusiasm with these students to take
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on STEM careers .
— Karri Withrow , Bosch
“ This was our fifth year participating in MFG Day and trying to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist within our manufacturing industry ,” says Mary Morphey , manager of corporate communications for Kinexus . “ This day is a great example of what happens when youth , employers , educators and economic developers all participate in the same conversation to drive us toward economic prosperity .”
Kinexus is a community organization in Southwest Michigan dedicated to forecasting and meeting the talent needs of employers , contributing to existing and new business growth , expanding investments into and within the region and ensuring the region remains a great place to live , work and play . As a member of MMA , Kinexus realizes that manufacturing success equates to state success and continues to take extra steps to promote a more positive image .
“ This year our MFG Day was held simultaneously in two locations — Bosch in Saint Joseph and AACOA in Niles . With over 1,400 students participating , it was one for the books ,” exclaims Morphey , beaming with pride . “ The participation from local employers and elected officials was great , plus we had local robotics teams and electric car clubs show off the innovative things you can do in manufacturing .”
One of the biggest challenges seen across the industry is the misconception that manufacturing is the same as it was in the 1980s or 90s . MFG Day is an opportunity to challenge that misconception and shine a light on an industry that is clean , high-tech and full of great careers options .
“ It ’ s really interesting because you typically think of a factory as old but when you come to this factory it ’ s like really new high tech so it ’ s really neat to figure out that there ’ s new stuff and that this isn ’ t just stuff of the past , they are still doing it ,” Fred Siebold , a local 9 th grader and MFG Day participant , told a news crew from ABC 57 .
With student engagement in MFG Day at an all-time high , MMA and local organizations are developing ways to connect influential employers with another key audience — elected officials .
MMA and the Legislative Roundtable
While connecting with students is the top priority , MMA , Kinexus and their partners at Bosch know there is another conversation that must take place and that MFG Day provides the perfect annual opportunity .
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Manufacturing Day is important to give kids authentic experiences to tie into their education and it allows them to talk to employers
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in a very real environment .
— Joe Rommel , Berrien RESA .
“ Local manufacturers don ’ t usually have the opportunity to engage with local elected officials and a Legislative Roundtable allows them to address the challenges and opportunities they ’ re facing as an industry ,” explains Morphey . “ They get to answer questions like ‘ what ’ s keeping you up at night ?’ and ‘ what ’ s your greatest challenge ?’ while building new relationships with the men and women responsible for crafting Michigan ’ s regulatory climate . It ’ s a part of our event because we want to continue to drive crucial conversations that steer us closer to economic prosperity .”
Kinexus partnered with MMA to develop their annual Legislative Roundtable . The Roundtable would featured U . S . Congressman Fred Upton , staff from the office of State Senator John Proos , Representative Beth Griffin , Representative Kim LaSata , and Representative Dave Pagel with Mike Johnston , MMA vice president of government affairs , as the event moderator . The event provided manufacturers with an open forum to discuss one of the top issues impacting their business — talent .
State Representatives Kim LaSata , Beth Griffin and Dave Pagel participated in a MFG Day Legislative Roundtable at Bosch led by MMA ’ s Mike Johnston .