A report by The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte found that 4.6 million jobs will need to be filled in the U.S. manufacturing over the next decade, and 2.4 million jobs may be left open due to a lack of trained workers. That’s a lot of opportunity for U.S. students and workers! However, misconceptions about manufacturing careers often prevent students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors from considering and promoting these career paths. Not only does this prevent students from taking on well-paying and meaningful careers, but this also leaves U.S. manufacturing open to vulnerability and limits the nation’s ability to quickly respond to crises.
As detailed in President Biden’s proclamation, Manufacturing Day is an important annual event that seeks to correct misconceptions about manufacturing and engage the next generation of workers. In celebration of Manufacturing Day, the ARM Institute, in partnership with our Mill 19 collaborators, Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, Catalyst Connection, and the University of Pittsburgh, welcomed more than 80 high school students from the Pittsburgh region to Mill 19! Students enjoyed rotating tours of a panel discussion about manufacturing careers, an exhibit hall setting of training providers and technology providers, and tours of robotics and technology demonstrations.