Workforce

Manufacturing Institute, NAM and Samsung Seek Creators at MFG Day Event in South Carolina

MFG Day Kicks Off a Month-Long Celebration of Manufacturing—Connecting with the Future Workforce to Fill Manufacturing Skills Gap

By NAM NewsroomOctober 4, 2019
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Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons traveled to Newberry, South Carolina, today to kick off Manufacturing Day at a flagship event hosted by Samsung. MFG Day, spearheaded by The Manufacturing Institute, the education and workforce partner of the NAM, gives students the opportunity to peak behind the curtain and see what modern manufacturing looks like, aiming to inspire them to pursue careers in the industry.

Timmons joined South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Samsung Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs David Steel at the Samsung Electronics Home Appliance facility—the company’s first home appliance manufacturing facility in the United States. The group met with students, business leaders and community influencers to discuss the high-tech, well-paying opportunities in modern manufacturing and the growing number of open jobs at manufacturing facilities across the country.

“Manufacturers across the country are seeking creators—those individuals who want to help solve tomorrow’s challenges today,” said Timmons. “Our industry is growing, and we need passionate, driven individuals to join our ranks. As the skills gap widens, 2.4 million positions across the manufacturing industry could go unfilled by 2028, so we must work to attract and develop new talent. Through MFG Day, we are engaging with the next generation of manufacturers—students—and letting them know our industry’s rallying cry: ‘Creators Wanted.’”

Timmons, Steel and Gov. McMaster were joined by students from Newberry Middle School. The group toured the state-of-the-art factory where Samsung manufacturers many of the home appliances sold in stores across the country. Following the tour, Timmons and Gov. McMaster gave brief remarks to the group, followed by a discussion with the head of human resources, Sherri Satterfield, about ways to inspire more students to pursue careers in modern manufacturing.

“We are proud to work with the National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute to engage students and help demonstrate the opportunities modern manufacturing has to offer,” said Steel. “There are more manufacturing jobs available in South Carolina than there are people to fill them. Opportunities for those seeking a rewarding, high-paying career in manufacturing truly abound.”

According to the latest data from the NAM, South Carolina manufacturers account for 17% of the state’s output, totaling $37.15 billion. In addition, the state has more than 247,000 manufacturing employees across 3,390 companies with an average compensation of more than $72,000.

MFG Day is led by The Manufacturing Institute. First held in 2012 and organized by its founder—the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International—MFG Day gives manufacturers the opportunity to address the skills gap, connect with future generations, update the public perception of manufacturing and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry as a whole. Learn more about MFG Day and the significant impact this event has across the nation here.

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The Manufacturing Institute is the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers. It drives programs and research to promote modern manufacturing and jumpstart new approaches to growing manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.