Manufacturing Day 2015 Helps Change Perception of Industry

Manufacturing Day 2015, including all events scheduled throughout the year, reached more than 400,000 participants and improved the public’s perception of manufacturing. A total of 2,620 events were held across North America including all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Based on data collected from host company evaluations, more than 225,000 students and 55,000 parents, teachers, and other attendees participated in these live events. Twelve virtual events helped even more people participate, with the Discovery Education and Alcoa online program reporting the largest participation of any single event, with more than 120,000 students.

Using the new Deloitte perception survey developed in collaboration with The Manufacturing Institute, more than 2,500 U.S. manufacturing hosts gather national data from teachers, students and parents on how Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) made a difference in local communities. The survey found after attending Manufacturing Day events, 81% of student respondents are more convinced manufacturing provides careers that are interesting and rewarding, and 71% are more likely to tell friends, family, parents, or colleagues about manufacturing.

“The co-producers of Manufacturing Day could not be more pleased with the results of the 2015 celebration,” said Ed Youdell, president and CEO of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), one of the co-producing organizations. “Our goal, when we created Manufacturing Day just three years ago, was to bring manufacturing into the mainstream. We wanted to showcase this important sector of the American economy and introduce young people to the career options and exciting work environments manufacturing offers.”

Educators’ responses to the survey also illustrated the positive impact Manufacturing Day has on public perception. Ninety percent indicated they are more likely to encourage students to pursue a career in manufacturing and 91% found the activities/tours to be interesting and engaging.

“By capturing the impact of a national Manufacturing Day, we can see how it has made a difference in changing the image of the industry,” Institute Executive Director Jennifer McNelly said. “Every day we aspire to make this industry better than it was yesterday, and the results of the Manufacturing Day survey illustrate how we are improving the image of the industry through Manufacturing Day, and positioning the industry as a rewarding career path for future generations.”

“This survey further demonstrates the changing perception of manufacturing across the country, particularly among young people, and we have events like Manufacturing Day to thank in large part for this positive trend,” said National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons. “We appreciate the continued efforts of thousands of manufacturers from across the country to educate students, parents and their communities about the many career opportunities through our industry.”

Manufacturers responding to the survey also expressed positive feedback regarding their participation in Manufacturing Day. Ninety four percent found there was value in participating in the event and 88% are more likely to continue engaging with high schools or colleges in their area.

“It is powerful to see that our collective efforts are making a difference in educating the public about manufacturing and its rewarding careers and how we are helping manufacturers throughout the U.S. connect with the next generation workforce” said Carroll Thomas, director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Manufacturing Day 2015 was supported by more than 20 sponsoring companies and organizations. The sponsor list was headed by Platinum sponsor Shell Lubricants and Gold sponsors Alliance for American Manufacturing and SME. In addition, more than 170 organizations endorsed Manufacturing Day and served as the conduit through which information about the event was disseminated.