In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2021 (MFG Day 2021), the Wylie Economic Development Corporation (Wylie EDC), in cooperation with local businesses and community partners, has planned a month-long series of activities and programs designed to connect local manufacturers with students, businesses and community. Manufacturing Day is a national program promoted by the Manufacturing Institute. While celebrated nationwide, the local implementation is specifically targeted at raising awareness for the rapid, high-tech growth of Wylie’s local manufacturing sector and the tremendous opportunities that are projected to be available for students well into the future.
This year’s program will begin with Proclamations from both City and State governments proclaiming October 1, 2021 as Manufacturing Day in the City of Wylie and the State of Texas. Beginning October 1st, a month-long series of in-person tours at local manufacturers, conducted in close cooperation with the Wylie ISD’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) program, will begin. Students will learn first-hand about the career opportunities for skills they are learning today in their High School CTE classes. From engineering, welding, business management, culinary arts, graphic design & production, construction technologies, architecture, pharmaceutical sciences and much more, students learn about the skills and opportunities needed to enjoy lucrative careers available right here in Wylie Texas.
“In response to the tremendous demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing business sector, programs like those featured during Manufacturing Day serve to connect businesses with technology savvy students,” stated Jason Greiner, Executive Director of Wylie EDC. “Through the combined efforts of our area businesses and Wylie ISD, Wylie students are more likely to have access to lucrative career opportunities right here in their hometown of Wylie, Texas. Facility tours and internships serve to educate and inspire students, revealing the industry for what it is - a cutting-edge, technology driven field with lifelong career opportunity,” he continued. In addition, Workforce Solutions of North Central Texas and Collin College are actively working with employers to ‘skill up” the existing workforce providing career advancement opportunities like never before.”
According to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, manufacturers in the United States will be faced with the challenge of filling 4.6 million jobs by 2028. More than half of those jobs could be left unfilled because of two issues: a skills gap and misperceptions about modern manufacturing. Manufacturing Day educational programs are designed to help address these issues and bridge the gap between employers and tomorrow’s workforce.
About the MFG Day
MFG Day is an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute, with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association as a founding partner. The Institute grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The Institute’s diverse initiatives support women, veterans, students and workers through skills training programs, community building and supporting the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the Institute is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.