MFGDay Manufacturing Institute

Each year, Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) is held on the first Friday in October in order to show students, parents, and the public what modern manufacturing is all about.  The fourth industrial revolution is rapidly changing our world. New advanced manufacturing technologies bring about whole new careers, requiring a skilled workforce interested in pursuing them. From bioengineers, to data analysts to robotics technicians, and all of the operations in between, there is a place for everyone in manufacturing!

Together with the National Association of Manufacturers, The Manufacturing Institute, MEP Centers, and federal agency partners, the Manufacturing USA network celebrates the manufacturers who make the products that keep us safe, enrich our lives, strengthen our economic and national security, and provide countless opportunities for our communities and workforce. Host or find an event and get involved. #MFGDay24

Resources

MFG Day Marketing Toolkit

Tips for Hosting an Event

Raise Awareness 

Demystifying Careers in Advanced Manufacturing

Have you explored the world of advanced manufacturing? It’s time to challenge outdated perceptions. The Manufacturing USA network, in partnership with NextFlex and NIST, hosted a discussion to dispel common myths about manufacturing, such as it being dirty, unskilled, or limited to assembly line work. Our moderator, Dr. Brad Conrad, leads an insightful conversation tackling these misconceptions and highlights why modern manufacturing is an innovative, high-tech career path offering competitive wages and opportunities for everyone.

Learn how advanced manufacturing can be a rewarding career choice!

Panelists include:

  • Ms. Courtney Power is the Deputy Director of Workforce Development at NextFlex
  • Dr. Courtney Taylor is the Executive Director of Mississippi’s Office of Workforce Development, Accelerate MS 
  • Dr. John D. Williams describes his job as the lead engineer and co-developer of a research and development (R&D) team at The Boeing Company
  • Dr. Christina Jones is a Partnerships and Outreach Strategist in the Office of Advanced Manufacturing, NIST
Demystifying Careers in Advanced Manufacturing
Demystifying Careers in Advanced Manufacturing

 

Graphic say: "Modern Makers: Meet the modern makers who help power the manufacturing usa ecosystem." With photos of Adonis Summerville (Black male wearing safety glasses) and Maria Araujo (woman with long blonde hair wearing a blazer). Click to learn more.

News

Go to NIIMBL selects 100 students to participate in the 2025 eXperience program

NIIMBL selects 100 students to participate in the 2025 eXperience program

| NIIMBL
The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals ( NIIMBL ) announces the selection of 100 first- and second-year college students to participate in the 2025 NIIMBL experience... Read More
NIIMBL eXperience RVCC
Go to AIM Photonics Delivers HOPE Kits to Support Integrated Photonics Instruction

AIM Photonics Delivers HOPE Kits to Support Integrated Photonics Instruction

| AIM Photonics
Hands-on kits provide educators and students with essential experience in PIC testing AIM Photonics announced today that distribution is underway for its Hands-On Photonics Education Kit (HOPE Kit)—a... Read More
Dr. Robert Geer, director of Education and Workforce Development at AIM Photonics, and Dr. Anthony Aiello, Photonics and Test Engineer, discuss and demonstrate AIM Photonics’ HOPE Kit
Go to MxD Recognized as Manufacturing Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist

MxD Recognized as Manufacturing Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist

| MxD
MxD today announced that it has been recognized as a 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards finalist in two project categories: Transformational Business Cultures and Collaborative Ecosystems. Hosted by... Read More
Graphic with red background with MxD logo and white text: Manufacturing Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist
Go to AFFOA Collaborates with University of Oregon’s Sports Product Design Program and Bemis Associates to Launch Innovative Interdisciplinary Textile Initiative

AFFOA Collaborates with University of Oregon’s Sports Product Design Program and Bemis Associates to Launch Innovative Interdisciplinary Textile Initiative

| AFFOA
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America ( AFFOA ) is thrilled to announce the expansion of its Transdisciplinary Workshop model to the West Coast, in partnership with the University of Oregon’s Sports... Read More
Graphic with the logos for AFFOA, University of Oregon, and BEMIS
Go to AFFOA Names Nuream and Z-Polymers the New Awardees of the Product Accelerator for Advanced Fabrics 2.0

AFFOA Names Nuream and Z-Polymers the New Awardees of the Product Accelerator for Advanced Fabrics 2.0

| AFFOA
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc. ( AFFOA ) proudly announces Nuream and Z-Polymers as the next awardees to participate in the Product Accelerator for Functional Fabrics (PAFF) 2.0 program... Read More
Graphic stating: Product Accelerator for Functional Fabrics with logos for NUREAM and Z-Polymers
Go to Project Update: Mid-Program Review Completed for Demonstration of Rapid TPC Welding at Scale Project

Project Update: Mid-Program Review Completed for Demonstration of Rapid TPC Welding at Scale Project

| ARM
Earlier this month, ARM Institute Program Managers Miguel Rodriguez and Russell Wanke attended the mid-program review for the Demonstration of Rapid Thermoplastic Composites (TPC) Welding at Scale ARM... Read More
Photo of an ARM Institute employee working on a robotic arm.
Go to Envisioning the Future of Manufacturing at SXSW

Envisioning the Future of Manufacturing at SXSW

| AFFOA
How do you predict the future without a crystal ball? With data, insight, and experience. At least, that’s how a panel of experts from the Manufacturing USA network recently tackled the topic of... Read More
SXSW 2025 Thumbnail Image
Go to IACMI and DOD Launch New METAL Workforce Training Hub at Ohio State University

IACMI and DOD Launch New METAL Workforce Training Hub at Ohio State University

| IACMI
Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) is proud to announce a new partnership with The Ohio State University to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities... Read More
Photo of group of people standing inside the new IACMI METAL workforce training hub at Ohio State University
Go to Smart Manufacturing: The Path to the Future

Smart Manufacturing: The Path to the Future

| CESMII
CESMII – The Smart Manufacturing Institute , ​​​​​​​funded by the Department of Energy, is working to accelerate the democratization and adoption of Smart Manufacturing. CESMII is transforming the... Read More
Thumbnail graphic: CESMII Smart Manufacturing: The Path to the Future
Go to ARM Institute Showcases Leadership in AI

ARM Institute Showcases Leadership in AI

| ARM
This fall, the ARM Institute’s work in artificial intelligence (AI) for robotics has been taking center stage at several conferences and events. While AI has been garnering extra headlines lately, the... Read More
ARM AI Horizons
Go to America Makes Welcomes Dr. Herderick as New EWD Director

America Makes Welcomes Dr. Herderick as New EWD Director

| America Makes
America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, proudly welcomes Edward D. Herderick, Ph.D., as its new Director of Education and Workforce Development (EWD). He is... Read More
AmericaMakes Ed Herderick - EWD Director
Go to 10 Years of Innovation with the Manufacturing USA Network

10 Years of Innovation with the Manufacturing USA Network

| LIFT
Advanced manufacturing impacts our everyday lives, economic competitiveness, national security, and sustainability making it a vital component of the American economy. In the past decade, the American... Read More
Group photo of attendees and the panelists for the ITIF sponsored Congressional Briefing on 10/23/24.
Increasing Diversity in Advanced Manufacturing Careers
Increasing Diversity in Advanced Manufacturing Careers
Pathways to Manufacturing Careers

 

Rethinking Manufacturing
Rethinking Manufacturing
Manufacturing USA: De-Risking Tech Startups
Manufacturing USA: De-Risking Tech Startups