For the past five years, Kinexus has been getting high school students behind the scenes into local manufacturing plants on the national celebration of Manufacturing Day. Clearly, the plan has been working, because as they enter the 6th annual event this year, the change agents at Team Kinexus are converting the day into a week-long event.
The team at Kinexus is excited to lead Southwest Michigan’s 6th Annual Manufacturing Day event with that new twist this year. Local schools are invited to join Kinexus and area employers for the first ever Manufacturing week from October 1-5. Due to high demand for the annual event, Kinexus expanded this to a week-long engagement that will allow students to see what’s made in their own backyards. Reality is that even the week in October is simply a kick off for a yearlong engagement with the goal of finding sustainable career paths for the workforce of tomorrow.
The events will celebrate the thriving $2.9 billion manufacturing industry in Michigan’s Great Southwest, employing 18,454 people across the Tri-county region.
Jeff Hannan is Director of Business Services at Kinexus. He says, “We see Manufacturing Week as an important component in developing a robust pipeline for the skilled trades’ workforce. We have secured 13 host site locations throughout Southwest Michigan with high-tech manufacturers for hundreds of students to get a hands-on, behind the scenes look at this dynamic industry.”
Kinexus will be working with local schools to coordinate schedules, tours, and other details for an exemplary week.
Dave Goodenough, Director of Robot/Technology Development at Edgewater Automation in St. Joe, says “As a previous host site for Manufacturing Day, Edgewater Automation was excited to show the students that there are viable career opportunities available requiring minimal post-secondary education.”
Local employers, schools, or parents who are looking to get engaged are encouraged to reach out to Jeff Hannan, at his office of Director of Business Solutions by calling (269) 927-1064, ext. 1171.
Last year’s event drew more than 1,200 students, manufacturers, elected officials, and community members. All events throughout the week are free and open to the public.
Lead sponsors for Manufacturing Week 2018 are Whirlpool Corporation, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and Midwest Family Broadcasting.
Manufacturing Day is an annual national event that brings together hundreds of manufacturers to host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers. To learn more about the national movement, you can visit online at www.mfgday.com.
Kinexus is an organization that invests its time and resources into creating integrated solutions for business, workforce, and community challenges to promote economic vitality in the Southwest Michigan region. For more information, you can visit online at www.Kinexus.org, follow them on Twitter @KinexusGroup or “like” them on Facebook @KinexusGroup.
