The Missouri Chamber and Missouri Enterprise are joining forces this MFG Day to help manufacturers across the state open their doors to students and showcase manufacturing careers.
Many people still have an antiquated idea of what manufacturing looks like, when in fact today’s manufacturing jobs are some of the most high-tech and high-paying. There are more than 5,300 manufacturing firms in Missouri, producing 13.1 percent of our state’s total output. These companies employ high-skill workers including engineers, machinists, marketers, technicians, accountants and more. According to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Missouri’s average manufacturing salary is more than $68,000.
But manufacturers are also facing worker shortages, which programs like MFG Day are helping to solve.
MFG Day, held on Oct. 5, is an annual nationwide effort of NAM’s Dream it. Do it. Initiative that aims to celebrate manufacturers’ contributions to the state and inspire the next generation of makers and innovators.
Participation in Missouri’s MFG Day has more than quadrupled since 2015 when the Missouri Chamber first became the state affiliate for the program. About 5,300 K-12 students attended open door events last year.
The Chamber’s partnership with Missouri Enterprise, which provides business, technical and optimization services to manufacturers, will help expand outreach to employers and schools across the state and grow participation.
“As Missouri’s number one partner in manufacturing, Missouri Enterprise is excited to team up with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce on Manufacturing Day to celebrate one of Missouri’s top industries. For manufacturing companies to succeed and remain in business for generations to come, it is imperative that we build a bridge betw
een business and education and expose our youth to this ever-changing, career-rewarding industry,” said Dusty Cruise, president and CEO of Missouri Enterprise. “From chemicals to copper pipes and automobiles to airplanes, Missouri’s heritage was built on making things. And with robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality playing major roles in advancing the industry, manufacturing is also the future.”
Increasing the voice of business and industry on education and workforce issues is an ongoing mission of the Missouri Chamber.
“This new partnership with Missouri Enterprise will strengthen the state’s overall outreach efforts to manufacturers and schools,” said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. “Missouri Enterprise works each day to build manufacturing capacity and productivity across the state. Working together, we will be able to help more manufacturers engage in Manufacturing Day and become involved with long-term, strategic workforce development efforts —a win-win for both employers and our future makers.”
