The Manufacturing Institute, the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, kicked off a month-long celebration of modern manufacturing on Friday, October 4th 2019 on Manufacturing Day. Held annually on the first Friday in October, MFG Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders.   This is an opportunity to showcase an industry that is more than vital to the US Economy. Manufacturing Day addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t.

“Our industry is growing and thriving, but we are facing a workforce crisis,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Over the next decade, manufacturers will create 4.6 million jobs—jobs that are high-skill, high-tech and high-paying—but 2.4 million could go unfilled if we don’t close the skills gap. MFG Day shines a spotlight on these opportunities and allows us to connect with the next generation of creators who will lead this industry into the future.”

CCT Precision Machining took part in the 2019 Manufacturing Day events at Richland College as a first time participant in this fun event.  Approximately 30 industry leaders were in attendance as well as about 150 high school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) students from districts in the Dallas area.  Leaders and students were treated to lunch, an informative lecture about manufacturing in North Texas and a tour of Richland College’s multi-million dollar manufacturing lab.  

Manufacturing Day 2019 at Richland College

Highlights from the lecture:

  • Texas has the largest number of manufacturing companies second only to California
  • Texas manufacturing accounts for an economy ⅕ the size of Mexico’s total economy with $70 billion in manufacturing in the DFW metroplex alone
  • 4.5 million Texans are employed by small businesses with 289,000 working in North Texas
  • As the North Texas economy grew by nearly 28%, manufacturing grew by half
  • Texas scores high on geographic and regulatory advantages in a recent survey – which means Texas is a great state in which to do business location-wise.  Municipalities make it easy for permitting new businesses and there is ease to market here.
  • Texas scores low on human capital and taxes in a recent survey – the business personal property tax is higher by 15% in Texas compared to other states and the skilled labor force is in short supply

In addition, Mark Hayes, Workforce Developer from Dallas County Community College District and Richland College addressed the high school students and manufacturers about DCCCD’s typical student preparing for the workforce:

  • The living wage for a single person is $12-15 per hour.  Add a child to that family and the living wage needed to support that unit increases to $24 per hour
  • 62% of DCCCD students are food insecure
  • 11% of DCCCD students are homeless
  • There are 6,000 manufacturing jobs open in North Texas currently with an average salary of $80,000 per year
  • DCCCD is changing its focus to add more training for trades for its students
  • There are 1,800 apprenticeships offered to DCCCD students with another 7,500 being added soon.  

Students and leaders at manufacturing Day 2019

All of these facts and figures point to enormous opportunities for young men and women to consider when choosing a career.  And for leaders in manufacturing to consider when making hiring decisions. Will apprenticeships prove a viable way to train, hire and retain employees?  Will manufacturing companies work with local colleges and trade schools to help develop real-world training programs?  Will students see manufacturing as a way to make a great living?

All of this is food for thought.  

We are looking forward to Manufacturing Day 2020!

Multi-million dollar manufacturing lab at Richland College

 

Course offerings for manufacturing trades at Richland College