The Deloitte 2018 skills gap in manufacturing study notes that approximately 2.4 million positions are on track to go unfilled through 2028. During October - recognized nationally as Manufacturing Month - WDI staff collaborated with partners in virtually every region of the state to produce innovative programming aimed at changing misperceptions about manufacturing and steering new workers toward this high demand field.
In NYC, the Garment District is both an iconic landmark and a vital economic engine for the region. WDI’s NYC Regional Director worked closely with the NYC Manufacturing Extension Partner, ITAC, to develop a day focused on Fashion Manufacturing. Seven (7) businesses agreed to open their doors for guided tours of their facilities and discussions about their processes, challenges, and opportunities. The event was promoted to high schools that focus their programming on fashion and the arts in order to provide some real world exposure to students. The morning’s panel discussions covered a range of topics, including emerging business models that manufacturers are now adopting in order to succeed in NYC, as well as an increased awareness around the importance of equity and inclusion in a variety of forms - from minority and size-inclusion, to labels targeting specific communities. In the afternoon, students and business leaders attended tours of the participating manufacturers and were given the opportunity to see various machines in action, hear how these manufacturers work with fashion designers across the globe, and view the output of these collaborations.
In the Lower Hudson Valley the WDI supported a first-ever Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Careers Bus Tour. More than 50 Westchester educators literally “got on a bus” to learn about career opportunities at two manufacturer facilities and one significant utility (ConEd). The intent of the tour was for the educators to understand the career possibilities in these fields, and in turn share what they learned with the region’s high school students and parents.
On Long Island WDI played a significant role in coordinating a new “Adopt a School” program, focused initially on high needs districts, to facilitate tours of companies. Six (6) companies participated in the tours and close to 350 students had opportunities to hear directly from company staff about current and future job opportunities.
WDI supported other 2019 manufacturing day events, in slightly different ways, in every other region of the state.
