Microsoft Celebrates Manufacturing Month with Official Sponsorship of MFG Day Event

Throughout the month of October, business leaders recognize the importance of modern manufacturing and inspires the next generation of talent nationwide 

(Washington, D.C.) – October 21, 2020 — Industry leader Microsoft announced its commitment as an official national sponsor for MFG Day 2020 with a flagship event on October 28 at 4:00pm ET. Launched annually on the first Friday of October, MFG Day is a flagship initiative of the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, The Manufacturing Institute (MI). MFG Day shows the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to host events for students, parents, teachers and community leaders. Because of the unique challenges that this year poses, MFG Day 2020 will be like no other by being celebrated virtually throughout the month of October, Manufacturing Month. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed for all of us the importance of modern manufacturing in our lives—from making masks, gloves and hospital equipment to researching vaccines and treatments, from producing our food supply to developing the electronics that make remote learning and work possible. In the coming months and years, it will be modern manufacturing that leads our recovery and renewal. This year’s MFG Day is a uniquely powerful opportunity to bring awareness to the high-paying, rewarding and meaningful career opportunities in our industry all October long,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Across the country, manufacturers are saying, ‘Creators Wanted.’ We have hundreds of thousands of jobs to fill—and will have millions more over the coming decades. MFG Day will open minds to what’s possible with a modern manufacturing career.”

To celebrate MFG Day, Microsoft will host the final flagship MFG Day event on October 28 at 4:00pm ET called: Creators Wanted: Empowering a Diverse and Sustainable Manufacturing Workforce with Microsoft. The event will feature a keynote fireside chat between Jacky Wright, Chief Digital Officer at Microsoft US and The Manufacturing Institute’s Executive Director Carolyn Lee. They will be joined by special addition Debra King, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer for Corteva Agriscience™. The virtual event will also include a panel discussion on the skills required for a modern manufacturing workforce and the unique role that data, artificial intelligence, remote work and sustainability play in the future of manufacturing. 

“Along with the National Association of Manufacturers and all our manufacturing clients, we are excited to celebrate Manufacturing Month together. This is our largest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation about the industry and dynamic careers in modern manufacturing,” said Tracy Galloway, US Vice President of Manufacturing, Microsoft. “Over the next decade, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the United States alone. As a National Sponsor, the Manufacturing Team at Microsoft is proud to join the #CreatorsWanted movement to fill the skills gap and inspire a diverse workforce with intelligent and data-driven manufacturing.” Since its founding in 2012, MFG Day has been the keystone manufacturing education and awareness day that gives manufacturers the unique opportunity to address the skills gap, connect with future generations of talent, reframe the public perception of what modern manufacturing is and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry as a whole. 

Watch the live event at CreatorsWanted.org and flow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using #MFGDAY20.

Press Contact: 
John Chibnall
Senior PR Manager
[email protected] | 314-623-8659

About Microsoft 
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For more information on how manufacturers are transforming digitally using technologies from Microsoft, please visit www.microsoft.com/manufacturing 

About Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI’s diverse initiatives support all American workers and emerging workers, including women, veterans and students, through skills training programs, community building and career growth. As the workforce and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Manufacturing Institute Celebrates Manufacturing Throughout The Month of October

Walmart named as platinum sponsor for annual celebration of U.S. manufacturing

(Washington, DC) October 6, 2020 – In recognition of U.S. manufacturing and the millions of jobs created across the country, the Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers will celebrate MFG Day 2020 on Friday, Oct. 2. Walmart will serve as a Platinum sponsor of the month-long event.

Companies celebrating MFG Day 2020 will do so through virtual workshops, seminars, open houses, competitions, awards ceremonies, and many other creative activities, targeting students, parents, educators, and community leaders. 

Walmart kicked-off Manufacturing Month with the company’s annual Open Call event on Oct. 1, inviting qualified entrepreneurs to pitch their U.S. manufactured products to its team of buyers. Walmart reported a 44% increase in applications to participate in the event and announced that more than 175 businesses had received initial approval for placement in Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs. More than 450 businesses are receiving further consideration. 

“Walmart is proud to sponsor MFG Day 2020 and celebrate the contributions domestic manufacturers make to our local communities,” said Laura Phillips, Walmart senior vice president for global sourcing and U.S. manufacturing. “Domestic manufacturing creates jobs and Walmart is committed to sourcing an additional $250 billion in products that support U.S. job creation. Together with NAM and the Manufacturing Institute, we also want to inspire the next generation of creators and innovators.”

In addition, Walmart is partnering with state chambers and economic development organizations in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin and Missouri states in support of their MFG Day activities. The company is also the presenting sponsor, and will participate in NAM/MI’s flagship event on Oct. 13, from 12-1pm EDT. “Creators Respond: Inspiration from America’s Creators.” Creators Respond is a virtual event focusing different ways creators mobilized in response to COVID-19. The event can be accessed on www.CreatorsWanted.org.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed for all of us the importance of modern manufacturing in our lives. In the coming months and years, it will be modern manufacturing that leads our recovery and renewal. This year’s MFG Day is a uniquely powerful opportunity to bring awareness to the high-paying, rewarding and meaningful career opportunities in our industry,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Across the country, manufacturers are saying, ‘Creators Wanted.’ We have hundreds of thousands of jobs to fill—and will have millions more over the coming decades. MFG Day will open minds to what’s possible with a modern manufacturing career.”

Since its founding in 2012, MFG Day has been the keystone manufacturing education and awareness day that gives manufacturers the unique opportunity to address the skills gap, connect with future generations of talent, reframe the public perception of what modern manufacturing is and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry as a whole.

About Manufacturing Institute The Manufacturing Institute grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI’s diverse initiatives support all American workers and emerging workers, including women, veterans and students, through skills training programs, community building and career growth. As the workforce and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges. For more information, please visit creatorswanted.org/mfgday.

MFG Day 2020 to Educate Students Across the Country on the Importance of the Modern Manufacturing Industry

The 8th annual and first virtual MFG Day, organized by The Manufacturing Institute with Microsoft, PTC and Salesforce, aims to inspire the country’s next generation of talent to learn about the modern manufacturing industry throughout October

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oct. 2, 2020 – Today, The Manufacturing Institute, the charitable nonprofit workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, announces the official start to MFG Day 2020, which will run through October. The MI’s flagship initiative, MFG Day, showcases the many and diverse modern manufacturing careers and addresses the skills gap, which may leave more than 2.4 million American jobs unfilled by 2028 due to outdated misconceptions surrounding the industry and the lack of highly skilled workers to fill those jobs. 

MFG Day encourages companies and educational institutions around the nation to host events where students, parents, teachers and community leaders can learn more about the exciting field of modern manufacturing. These events, which range from virtual—and safe in person—factory tours to panels featuring the world’s leading CEOs, help the country’s next generation of workforce talent better understand the well-paying career opportunities modern manufacturing offers as well as what a modern manufacturing career looks like, including: 

  • The chance to work in a diverse range of companies manufacturing offers, from small, local businesses to global Fortune 500 companies, in exciting industries, from aerospace to pharmaceuticals;
  • Earning $88,406 annually on average, including pay and benefits;
  • Working in an industry that employs more than 12.13 million workers across the country;
  • Hands-on experience with the most innovative technology, including 3D printing, drones and virtual reality; 
  • The opportunity to work on real, tangible products that improve people’s lives, from lifesaving medical equipment to food products; and
  • Career growth that starts at entry level but allows for additional training and promotion opportunities. 

“As we celebrate MFG Day across the country over the next month, we are reminded of the important role that modern manufacturing plays in each of our lives. From the masks and clothes we wear to the food we eat, modern manufacturing is at the heart of our country and, as the pandemic continues, will lead the way to our recovery and renewal,” said MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “This year’s MFG Day, more so than ever before, is a uniquely powerful opportunity to bring awareness to the high-paying, rewarding and meaningful career opportunities in our industry and to open minds to what’s possible with a career in modern manufacturing.”

Transforming the annual tradition of manufacturing open houses into a series of mostly virtual events, this year’s MFG Day will be like no other, with opportunities for more connection, reach and participation across the industry and the country without the limitations of physical events and travel. This year, MFG Day will be celebrated with more than 300 events throughout October kicking off on Friday, Oct. 2, with the flagship event “Creators Wanted: A Program for America’s Students” sponsored by MFG Day’s National Sponsors Microsoft, PTC and Salesforce, featuring leaders in the manufacturing industry and Netflix star Emily Dawn Calandrelli of Emily’s Wonder Lab. A full schedule of national, local and regional events can be found at creatorswanted.org

To reach more people across the country and meet the needs of this unique moment in time, MFG Day will run throughout October, Manufacturing Month, and will feature engaging virtual events on CreatorsWanted.org, including the following events: 

  • Friday, Oct. 2, at 12:00 p.m. EDT The official kick-off to MFG Day with the following special guests and speakers: 
    • Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the NAM
    • Dr. Walt Copan, under secretary of commerce for standards and technology and NIST director
    • Emily Dawn Calandrelli, The Space Gal, host and co-executive producer, Emily’s Wonder Lab 
    • Carolyn Lee, executive director, the MI 
    • Jenny Gai, industry solutions manager, Salesforce 
    • Matt Miller, build prep supervisor, SLS, Protolabs 
    • Chelle Travis, executive director, SkillsUSA 
    • Richard Grimsley, director, career and technical education, Dallas ISD 
    • Leah Curry, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana
  • Monday, Oct. 5, at 12:00 p.m. EDT – A program honoring National Teachers’ Day that will highlight how teachers and educators can use their role to inspire the next generation of creators, featuring Allen Gannett, technology entrepreneur and author of The Creative Curve.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 12:00 p.m. EDT – A deep dive into creators’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented by Walmart; the event will feature an interview of manufacturers involved in the nation’s COVID-19 response by legendary broadcaster Elvis Duran.

MFG Day is receiving great support from both the private and public sectors. The governors of Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, New Mexico, Ohio and West Virginia have all issued proclamations celebrating the day and marking October as a time to celebrate the importance of manufacturing and its contributions to our local and national communities. 

The platform of MFG Day for manufacturers to educate and inspire new talent is made possible by the support of leading American businesses, including National Sponsors Salesforce, PTC and Microsoft and Platinum Sponsors Walmart and ABB. 

Other sponsors include Gold Sponsors Siemens, Polaris and Emerson; Silver Sponsors NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Kronos, Ceridian and Plex; State Sponsors Ohio MEP Network and Ohio Manufacturers’ Association; and Industry Sponsors The Plastics Industry Association and Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Additional sponsors include Stanley Black & Decker and Marvin. 

As sponsors, all of these companies have signaled their commitment to highlighting the essential and innovative work modern manufacturers do and energizing a future pipeline of skilled workers. 

Since its founding in 2012 by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International and subsequent organizing by the MI, MFG Day has been the keystone manufacturing education and awareness day that gives manufacturers the unique opportunity to address the skills gap, connect with future generations of talent, reframe the public perception of what modern manufacturing is and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry as a whole. Follow MFG Day on Facebook and Twitter and #MFGDAY20.

Press Contact: 
John Chibnall
Senior PR Manager 
[email protected]
314-623-8659

About the MI
The MI grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI’s diverse initiatives support all workers in America, including women, veterans and students, through skills training programs, community building and the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the NAM, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges. For more information on MFG Day, please visit creatorswanted.org

It’s Official: MFG Day is Here

States commemorate manufacturing’s biggest day

Across the country, state governors and officials are making it known that MFG Day and Manufacturing Month are well underway, even in the face of changes to the celebrations because of COVID-19. Recognizing the contributions of modern manufacturers in their state, as well as sharing the “Creators Wanted” call to the next generation, these states stepped forward right out of the gate to help build momentum for MFG Day: 

State manufacturing associations have helped drive the many proclamations and announcements that continue rolling in this year, boosting the country’s largest manufacturing grassroots day of action to excite and educate the next generation about modern manufacturing.

Get Involved: Share #MFGDay20 on your social channels.

Attend: Be a part of one of the MFG Day Official Flagship events on Oct. 13. For more details, click here.