This Pandemic Has Changed Everything – To Include Manufacturing Day
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
Today is Manufacturing Day—an annual opportunity for manufacturers to highlight their work and their employees, and to energize a future pipeline of skilled workers. Occurring each year on the first Friday of October, Manufacturing Day is when manufacturers open their doors to showcase the potential of modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers. Across the country, organizations show the public what manufacturing looks like through open houses and virtual events in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico, with an estimated 400,000+ students, parents, and community members attending annually.
This year it will be different since we are in the midst of the COVID pandemic. At MACNY, we have planned a month-long calendar of virtual events. For us, manufacturing is too big to confine to a single day. So, each year in New York State, MACNY works with our elected officials to declare October Manufacturing Month. I hope you will take the time to attend our virtual offerings and reach out to your networks to promote Manufacturing Month. To make sure you receive the virtual events straight to your inbox throughout the month of October, click here to RSVP.
It has been nearly two years since the pandemic began to impact our lives. We are just beginning to assess its profound impact on our world. It has changed work as we know it. It has accelerated emerging trends in the economy. It has and will transform healthcare in dramatic ways. It has exposed deep fault lines in our ability to address this pandemic and future pandemics. It has also opened up conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
So much has changed. This includes manufacturing itself. It’s time to assess the impact, learn what to do next, and build back a better economy, community, and world. Our economy has never been more global. However, the desire to make and grow products near where we live has never been stronger. At the same time, the changes in total cost of production and ownership have made the U.S. a desirable location. At MACNY, we believe manufacturing is prepared to surge in New York State. We see the conditions necessary for the growth of existing members and the attraction of additional manufacturing companies.
MACNY has expanded its offerings to serve manufacturers throughout New York State. Through our partners of the Manufacturers Alliance of New York State, we are now providing group apprenticeship pathways for hundreds of companies. The number of individuals in these apprenticeships grows daily. Our digital events now allow members to participate no matter where they are. Our advocacy reach extends to all manufacturers within New York. Please check out all of our offerings at www.macny.org. We continue to expand our service offerings to areas such as Growth Strategy Services. We will continue to change to serve you as we emerge from this pandemic. MACNY and our members have been resilient. Together we are poised for an exciting period of growth in manufacturing.