Over 1,000 Students Set To Visit 34 Manufacturing Sites at Oakland County Event

On Friday, October 3, thousands of teens will flood into factories across Oakland County. The annual Manufacturing Day brings students face-to-face with the future of work.

Young minds from 20 local high schools will step into a world of robots, lasers, and smart machines. At each stop, they'll watch experts craft parts for cars, planes, and space tech. These three-hour visits open eyes to jobs in tech, building, and fixing tomorrow's tools.

"Manufacturers from around the world are locating new and expanded operations in Oakland County and across Southeast Michigan," said Oakland County Executive David Coulter according to Orion Neighborhood Television. "The need for skilled workers is stronger than ever. Events like Manufacturing Day are a perfect way for young people to pique their interests and begin the journey to a fulfilling career."

By 2028, Michigan will need to fill 47,000 skilled jobs each year. The math gets bigger across the U.S. - about 2.4 million factory spots might sit empty by then, based on what experts say.

"Manufacturing Day reflects the vital connection between education and industry," said Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman. "By engaging with more than 30 employer partners, Oakland County students gain a deeper understanding of the advanced skills, technologies, and career pathways shaping the future of manufacturing."

Since this started in 2015, kids have walked through 150 different shops and plants. That adds up to 11,000 students getting their first taste of modern making.

Big names like ABB and FANUC America Corporation will swing open their doors. Atlas Copco, Brose North America, and Williams International join them in showing off their cutting-edge work.

Several groups pitched in to make this happen. Oakland County Michigan Works! teamed up with schools and colleges. Money came from six companies: Ascent Aerospace, Humanetics, PROFIL, Triple Inc., Williams International, and Witzenmann.

Want to know more? Check OakGov.com/MfgDay for all the details.