With an understanding of the important role manufacturing plays in the local, as well as national, economy, the Barton County Commission Wednesday morning approved a proclamation in support of Friday being Manufacturing Day.
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Megan Barfield asked the commission adopt the proclamation. MFG Day is held on the first Friday in October in order to educate students, parents and the public on modern manufacturing, she said.
Events continue throughout the month, showcasing modern manufacturing careers by encouraging companies and educational institutions to “open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders,” Barfield said. As manufacturers seek to fill 4 million jobs over the next decade, MFG Day empowers manufacturers to address their collective challenges.
“This is something that the Great Bend chamber has been spearheading for four years, and it’s celebrated nationally,” Barfield said. It was brought to chamber’s attention by former Fuller Industries CEO Mark Chalfont.
“Manufacturing is one of the largest industries supporting and employing many people across Barton County,” she said. “So with the workforce crisis that has developed over the last few years, I think it’s more important than ever to shine a light on this industry and the career opportunities that are available to it.”
Now, its important to support those manufacturers and what their needs are, she said. There’s been a lot of work done on the economic development front as well, and “it takes all of us to spearhead and keep doing all of these things together.”
More going on
The proclamation “is a chance for the county to show that recognition and acknowledgement of that,” Barfield said. But, it is only a piece of the observance.
“We are coordinating more student tours to get (Great Bend) high schoolers through these manufacturers,” she said. These are set for the week of Oct. 24, and will also include Barton Community College students and even for some kids from Lincoln Elementary School.
In addition, this year there will be tours for the general public, she said. Many county residents are surprised by what the manufacturers here do and this will give them a chance to see just that,
Last year, there were eight businesses taking part in the tours, Barfield said. She has a survey out now, but has not finalized the list for this year, but she expected Fuller, KMW Manufacturing, Eldridge Fencing, and the others from 2021 to take part again.
Background
According to the Manufacturing institute, the average annual income of a U.S. manufacturing employee was $92,832 in 2020. And, as noted above, 4 million sector jobs will need to be filled between now and 2030.
In 2011, the Fabricators and Manufacturers’ Association of the United States hit upon making the manufacturing sector more accessible to the general public through events, exhibitions and other events. Members believed that it would enable people to understand more about modern manufacturing and appreciate it.
The FMA organized the first-ever Manufacturing Day in October 2011.
Since 2012, MFG Day has been an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute and the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association. The institute supports the manufacturing industry to advance modern manufacturing.
Its initiatives support training programs, community building and career advancement. It is the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers.
