On Friday, October 7th, Oakland County Michigan Works!, in partnership with Oakland County, Oakland Schools, and Oakland Community College, hosted the first in-person Manufacturing Day since 2019. A total of 32 advanced manufacturing facilities in Oakland County opened their doors to more than 750 high school students from 17 school districts and four technical campuses.
This was the eighth year Oakland County has participated in National Manufacturing Day, designed to introduce students to the many in-demand, rewarding careers in modern manufacturing and the skilled trades. These include quality control, logistics, welding, design and engineering, maintenance, PLC robotics, mechatronics, metallurgy, metrology, and project management.
The day started with a kick-off event at Oakland Schools Technical Campus – Northeast. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Oakland Schools Deputy Superintendent Ken Gutman, Dean of Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast Paul Galbenski, and Associate Provost of Academics and Workforce at Oakland Community College Joe Petrosky spoke with students about the importance of careers in manufacturing.
“Oakland County is the epicenter of advanced manufacturing and we’re excited to connect our employers and students for these tours. Events like Manufacturing Day inspire students to begin their journeys toward successful careers and allow employers to meet with the workforce of the future.”
-Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter
During their three-hour visit, students and teachers received tours of design labs, testing centers, and assembly operations, participated in hands-on activities, and engaged with employees to learn about career paths, skills and entry-level job opportunities.
Students were able to participate in hands-on activities alongside employees. At Ascent Aerospace in Lake Orion, students used a CNC machine to cut their own keychains. Students at Hi-Tech Molding & Engineering in Rochester Hills learned about 3D printers. Students at FATA Automation in Auburn Hills helped assemble a conveyor, while those at ABB took home miniature dancing robots.
“Our students were so attentive and interested in all the information being presented by Mayville Engineering Company staff. MEC truly did a great job and our students were very excited about their experience.”
-Hazel Park Schools Transition Coordinator/School Psychologist Kathy Jones
Senator Debbie Stabenow and Director of Oakland County Economic Development Ingrid Schuster Tighe visited BorgWarner to celebrate Michigan’s manufacturing leadership.
This year’s tour hosts included 3-Dimensional-Services Group; AAM – American Axle & Manufacturing Auburn Hills; AAM – American Axle & Manufacturing Metal Forming – Royal Oak; ABB; Ascent Aerospace; Atlas Copco; Automation & Modular Components Inc.; BorgWarner; Brose North America, Inc.; Ferndale Pharma Group; FATA Automation; General Motors, Performance and Racing Center; GHI Electronics; Gonzalez Production Systems; Heller Machine Tools; HIROTEC AMERICA; Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering Inc.; Humanetics; JR Automation; Kawasaki Robotics; MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions; Mayville Engineering Company, Inc.; Northern Tool – Star Cutter Company; STEC USA; Three M Tool & Machine; Visioneering Inc.; Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.; WENZEL America Ltd; Williams International; and Witzenmann Group.
Financial supporters included transportation sponsor Williams International and event sponsors AAM, FATA Automation, Gonzalez Production Systems, Heller Machine Tools, Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering, Humanetics, Oakland Community College and Witzenmann USA.
The goal of Oakland County Michigan Works! is to help job seekers and future employees find high-wage, high-demand jobs. Manufacturing has proven to be a powerful and ever-evolving industry and Manufacturing Day provides a time to recognize this. For more information, visit OakGov.com/MfgDay.
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