October is Manufacturing Month
About Manufacturing Month
Due to retirements and economic expansion, there will be significant opportunities for employment in Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry, underscoring the need to ensure a robust talent pipeline now and in the years to come. In fact, according to The Manufacturing Institute, 2.1 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. could go unfilled by 2030 due to the labor shortage. Manufacturing Month helps to promote manufacturing as a viable career in Wisconsin in an attempt to fill these much-needed jobs.
To highlight the state’s top industry, which contributes over $71 billion a year in economic output to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), WMC will be promoting numerous manufacturing-focused events in October, meeting with manufacturers around the state and, once again, crowning the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
Manufacturing Month
Get Involved
Host an Event
Host a tour of your manufacturing facility, participate in the coolest thing Made in Wisconsin competition, learn more about The Manufacturing Institute and apply for the Annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award program.
Follow these three simple steps to host an event for Manufacturing Month:
- Register your event on www.mfgday.com and e-mail the date, time, location, and contact person to Nick Novak, 608.258.3400.
- Contact your local chamber of commerce, school district and media outlets to encourage them to attend.
Are You a Great Manufacturer?
The Manufacturing Institute
Today’s emerging workers are the solution to the workforce challenges of the present and future. The Manufacturing Institute’s key programs and initiatives provide hands-on solutions and best practices on a national scale.
Equipping today’s workers with the skills, network and knowledge to build the future workforce is mission critical for the Manufacturing Institute.
Among business leaders and the American workforce, The Manufacturing Institute creates and facilitates best-in-class workforce and education programs that support and grow the manufacturing workforce through professional development, skills training and industry-leading research.
Every year, about 200,000 men and women transition out of the military, and many need assistance finding a new career that utilizes their talents and supports their growth.
The Manufacturing Institute is committed to empowering today’s American Heroes to become tomorrow’s manufacturing leaders.
Decades ago, manufacturing set the stage for the march of women into the workforce. Today, The Manufacturing Institute inspires the next generation of female industry leadership. Women are critical to manufacturing’s future and represent one of its largest untapped talent pools.
Women today account for less than 1 in 3 manufacturing workers, despite representing about half of the overall workforce.
Closing manufacturers’ gender gap is key to addressing manufacturing’s workforce crisis. That’s why The Manufacturing Institute is working to empower women through recognition, research and leadership, encouraging them to engage their skills in modern manufacturing and supporting their efforts to pay it forward and mentor the next generation.
Local chambers of commerce are the backbone of Wisconsin’s free enterprise system. They are community leaders who understand the importance of every business in their neighborhood.
Here are resources the chamber leaders can use to help their communities promote October as Manufacturing Month: the importance of every business in their neighborhood.
Gather the information on manufacturers in your area who are interested in hosting a facility tour, and contact WMC, 608.258.3400, to have that event listed on the official Manufacturing Month website.
WCCE Manufacturing Month Toolkit
Best Practices
Made in Wisconsin
Each year, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group partner to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. The competition aims to highlight the state’s vibrant manufacturing industry. The contest not only brings attention to all the cool things made in Wisconsin, but also the outstanding career opportunities available in manufacturing – an industry that employs 1 in 6 people in the state!
After products are nominated, they compete in a popular vote that sets the field for Manufacturing Madness. In this tournament-style bracket, the Top 16 Wisconsin-made products compete in head-to-head matchups to win the ultimate prize – being named the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
The winner is announced each year during Manufacturing Month in October.
Find out more about the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin at www.madeinwis.com.
The Manufacturing Institute
To excite America’s youth about the incredible career pathways that modern manufacturing offers, we must increase awareness and change misperceptions about the industry through exposure to hands-on experiences and engaging content.
The Manufacturing Institute’s student engagement initiatives aim to hone STEM skills, introduce students to career pathways in modern manufacturing and clarify misperceptions about these careers by providing educational tools and experiences to youth, parents and teachers.
This work is achieved through several key initiatives: Creators Wanted, MFG Day, youth-facing content focused on learning more about manufacturing careers, activities and programs, content and channel partnerships, as well as the STEM Careers Coalition.
Wisconsin Celebrates October as Manufacturing Month
Manufacturing is the number one contributor to Wisconsin’s booming economy, producing more than $71 billion in total output. Additionally, the state’s roughly 9,200 manufacturing companies employ about 1 in 6 workers in Wisconsin.
“Manufacturing is the backbone of our state’s economy, and the hardworking men and women of this industry deserve to be celebrated,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt Bauer. “Throughout October, we hope to educate young Wisconsinites about the rewarding careers available in manufacturing along with highlighting the outsized impact the industry has on our state.”
Throughout the month of October, manufacturers all across the state are opening their doors to communities and Wisconsinites to showcase the industry and highlight the rewarding careers available to those interested in manufacturing.
A full list of events throughout the state is available by clicking here.
“Manufacturing Month gives employers, educators and others a timely opportunity to discuss the family-supporting careers that are available in the industry,” Bauer added. “Our state’s manufacturers continue to grow, and they need a ready and talented workforce to take advantage of these outstanding careers.”
To celebrate Manufacturing Month, WMC will be promoting numerous manufacturing-focused events in October, meeting with manufacturers around the state and, once again, crowning the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin on Oct. 17 at its annual Business Day event.
Manufacturing Month Videos
Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin – 2021
Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin – 2020
Women in Manufacturing – 2019
Technical Training Opportunities – 2019
Attracting Talent to Manufacturing – 2019
Veterans in Manufacturing – 2018
Apprenticeships in Manufacturing – 2018
Economic Impact of Manufacturing – 2018
Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin – 2018
Technical Education – 2017
High-Tech Manufacturing – 2017
Women in Manufacturing – 2017
Events and Tours
During manufacturing month, WMC holds events and tours at manufacturing facilities across the state. Click here to see events hosted in your area in October.
Contact Nick Novak, 608-258-3400, to post an event or tour in your area.