Pontiac, Mich. – For the first time ever, all 28 Oakland County school districts and four Oakland Schools Technical Campuses are participating in Oakland County Manufacturing Day on Friday, Oct. 6. The national event highlights the many rewarding careers found in the advanced manufacturing industry.
More than 900 high school students from across Oakland County will be visiting 31 manufacturing companies. During the three-hour tour, they will receive a close-up look at the jobs of engineers, technicians, skilled trades employees, and support staff. Participants will step into design labs, testing centers, production pods, and other manufacturing environments during the tours.
“We hope the overwhelming interest in this year’s Manufacturing Day will provide the spark that students need to pursue rewarding and successful careers, right here in Oakland County,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We’re here to help them in high school and beyond gain the education, training and wraparound services they’ll need for those high-paying jobs of the future that these manufacturers are creating.”
The 2023 roster of tour hosts includes: 3-Dimensional Services Group, AAM Metal Forming – Royal Oak, AkzoNobel, Ascent Aerospace, Atlas CopCo, Automation and Modular Components, BorgWarner, Brose North America, Challenge Manufacturing, Cosma Body Assembly Michigan, FANUC, Fata Automation, Inc., Gonzalez, Hi-Tech Mold and Engineering, Humanetics, JR Automation, MacLean-Fogg, Magna Cosma Body, Martinrea International US, Mayville Engineering Company, Oakland Community College, PolyFLex Products, Inc., Shape Process Automation, Star Cutter Company, SW North America, Three M Tool and Machine, Triple Inc., Visioneering, Inc., Williams International, Webasto and WENZEL America.
WENZEL America provides metrology technology used throughout the manufacturing industry and has been an Oakland County Manufacturing Day tour host for the past six years. President Drew Shemenski said events like Manufacturing Day are important because it gives WENZEL America direct access to the future workforce.
“This access to the workforce provides us an opportunity to share what makes modern manufacturing so exciting, and how it can provide these students a vibrant and rewarding career path,” he said. “It also gives our team a chance to share what makes them passionate about the manufacturing careers they have, in a very practical way. It's all about engaging people directly and building enthusiasm for the future that manufacturing can offer."
Oakland Schools Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson said Oakland County Manufacturing Day is one of the most important dates on the academic calendar.
“This event is an excellent opportunity for high school students to participate in hands-on activities and gain exposure to innovations and rewarding career opportunities in manufacturing,” she said. “We're excited to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment opportunities, ultimately preparing students for successful and rewarding careers in manufacturing."
This is the ninth year Oakland County has participated in National Manufacturing Day, designed to introduce students to the many in-demand, rewarding careers in modern manufacturing and the skilled trades. These include quality control, logistics, welding, design and engineering, maintenance, PLC Robotics, mechatronics, metallurgy, metrology and project management. In 2019, the National Association of Counties (NaCo) recognized Oakland County with a “Best in Category” Achievement Award for Manufacturing. The award recognizes innovative and effective programming that benefits residents.
Oakland County Michigan Works!, the Oakland County Department of Economic Development, Oakland Schools and Oakland Community College partnered to organize this year’s event. Financial supporters include Automation Alley, FANUC, Fata Automation, Humanetics and Williams International. For more information, visit www.OakGov.com/MfgDay or MfgDay.com (national website). Follow the event on social media: #MfgDay23, #MfgOak.
