The advancing mission of the nationwide “Creators Wanted” workforce campaign, MFG Day highlights modern manufacturing careers for students, parents, teachers, and leaders

The Manufacturing Institute announced the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) as an Industry Sponsor of MFG Day 2021. Launched annually on the first Friday in October and continuing throughout the month, MFG Day includes focused events to promote manufacturing to students, parents, and educators. Manufacturers will open their doors—in-person or virtually—to offer a first-hand look at the career possibilities in modern manufacturing. An initiative of The Manufacturing Institute, MFG Day also advances the mission of Creators Wanted, the industry’s year-round effort to build the workforce of the future.

“Manufacturing Day is an incredible opportunity for plastics companies to literally open their doors and show people the tremendous career opportunities in the manufacturing industry,” said Tony Radoszewski, president & CEO of PLASTICS.“PLASTICS is proud to be an Industry Sponsor of MFG Day 2021 because we need to continue to do our part to address the shortage of skilled labor across the manufacturing sector by encouraging young people and jobseekers to pursue the many exciting career paths within the plastics industry.”

“Without question, the manufacturing industry’s biggest long-term challenge is the skills gap. We have more than 800,000 open jobs in manufacturing, and we will need to fill 4 million positions by the end of the decade, according to research from the MI and Deloitte,” said MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Closing that skills gap requires us to inspire, educate and empower the next generation of manufacturing workers—and that’s where Creators Wanted and MFG Day comes in. Companies that participate in MFG Day and Creators Wanted are taking strong, tangible steps toward strengthening their workforce and closing the skills gap. And our outstanding sponsors are going the extra mile for our industry.”

MFG Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors—in-person or virtually—to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders. MFG Day empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive. MFG Day is an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute and was originally founded by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International.