The first Friday of October marks Manufacturing Day, a national movement honoring the importance of manufacturing in the United States. This year, Manufacturing Day falls on Friday, October 7^th, 2016 – and Goodwin College is celebrating!

Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration that recognizes the value of the manufacturing industry in the United States. It is no wonder why.

Manufacturing is one of the most essential industries in the United States. And it is consistently recognized as so. Today, 90 percent of Americans believe that manufacturing is of the most important industries for economic development and prosperity, according to a study by Deloitte.  89 percent of people believe that manufacturing is essential to uphold our standard of living. And 73 percent of Americans believe is it imperative for national security.

You may be thinking, yes manufacturing is important – but why? Why does it deserve its own holiday, and why are we celebrating this industry?

Why Manufacturing?

Take a minute to look around you. What do you see? Maybe you see buildings or cars, or a plane in the sky. Maybe your computer or television is sitting in front of you. Now, take a look inside your pockets or your bag. What’s in there? A cellphone, a wallet, maybe your keys – the essentials. Consider what you have on – your clothes, your bag, your pockets themselves.

Now think about life without all of these things. It’s tough, but that is what life would be like without manufacturing. Today, nearly everything around you exists because of the manufacturing industry, and because of the pioneers, the makers, and the tactful creators who stand behind it.

While manufacturing is largely about the production of goods, the industry goes beyond factory walls. Manufacturing gives us the ability to advance as a country. It provides us access to advancing technologies. It gives us innovation and modernization. It inspires.

Manufacturing also gives businesses, from retail to real estate, the ability to exist. It gives services, from educational to medical, the ability to persist. Without manufacturing, millions of jobs would be lost. Today, the manufacturing industry supports more than 18.5 million jobs in the United States.

Become a Maker!

In the next decade, three and half million manufacturing jobs are expected to open up throughout the United States. However, experts predict that the majority – almost two million – jobs will be left unfilled.

The manufacturing industry is currently facing a major skills gap. Despite high consumer demands and increasing employee salaries, the industry is still experiencing a shortage of educated workers with adequate technical skills. Employers are calling for qualified, trained professionals to step up. They are calling for passionate workers who know technology, machinery, and who can meet the needs of both today and tomorrow.

If you are considering a career in this booming industry, there is no doubt that now is the time to pursue your path. With the right training and qualifications under your belt, you can quickly make it to the top.

You can start right here at Goodwin College, where we are consistently preparing future leaders of the manufacturing workforce through our Associate, Bachelor’s, and Certificate programs. We are the first college in Connecticut to partner with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) to offer portable, nationally-recognized manufacturing training credentials that employers want to see.

Join Us in Celebration of Manufacturing Day, 2016

Manufacturing Day is all about awareness. It is about educating the community on the importance of manufacturing, so that we can ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry. It is about empowering manufacturers of all stretches to come together as thought leaders, to both address industry challenges and connect with future generations.

As a leading manufacturing and machining school in Connecticut, Goodwin College is looking forward to Manufacturing Day 2016. This week, we will be celebrating not only modern manufacturing, but also present and aspiring manufacturers. This week, we will be sharing our knowledge with students, community members, and policymakers on how integral manufacturing is to today’s economy.

Are you a Connecticut local hoping to get involved? Join us on November 1, 2016, at 8:30am for a Manufacturing Job Fair. Meet with 30 local manufacturers – CNC machinists, logistics and supply chain personnel, and quality technicians – who are looking to hire aspiring manufacturers like you.

Call Goodwin College at 800-889-3282 for details. To learn about more Manufacturing Day or events in your area, visit www.mfgday.com.