Manufacturing Day (MFG Day)

Manufacturing Day (often called MFG Day) is observed annually on the first Friday in October. It is a U.S.‑initiative created to showcase modern manufacturing, inspire the next generation of skilled workers, and change perceptions about what it means to work in manufacturing.

History of Manufacturing Day

The concept of Manufacturing Day began in 2012, when the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), along with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), developed the idea of a day when manufacturers would open their doors to the public, especially students, parents, and educators. The aim was to show what modern manufacturing looks like—technology‑rich, creative, and full of opportunity.

Over the years, the event has grown substantially. In its early years it involved only regional participation, but now thousands of manufacturers, educational institutions, and community organizations across the U.S. participate, holding tours, workshops, expos, and career fairs. The aim is not merely to celebrate manufacturing but to address workforce challenges, such as the skills gap, by engaging youth and helping demystify the industry.

Why Manufacturing Day is important

Manufacturing Day matters because manufacturing plays a foundational role in economies—creating jobs, enabling innovation, and producing the goods that are part of daily life. But many people’s image of manufacturing is stuck in the past: heavy, dirty, repetitive. Changing public perception to show manufacturing as high‑tech, clean, precise, and full of roles that need STEM skills is crucial. For young people considering career paths, seeing the reality can encourage choices they might not have considered otherwise.

It also serves as an opportunity for manufacturers and communities to connect, collaborate, and invest in the future. By opening doors to educators and policy makers, there’s a chance to influence training programs, educational curricula, and workforce development. For regions struggling with unemployment or skills shortages, it helps highlight local strengths, show where investment is needed, and encourage dialogue among industry, schools, and government.

Here are some of the real benefits people often cite:

• giving students firsthand insight into what modern factories and production facilities look like, so they can imagine themselves in those roles
• helping parents, teachers, and communities understand the opportunities in manufacturing careers (pay, variety, advancement)
• encouraging manufacturers to think about outreach, modernizing operations, and being more visible in their communities
• helping close the skills gap by fostering interest in STEM, technical training, robotics, automation, etc.
• reinforcing how manufacturing contributes to economic strength, innovation, supply chains, and resilience

How to Celebrate or Observe Manufacturing Day

If you’re in manufacturing, education, or community leadership, there are many ways to participate or organize something for Manufacturing Day. One common method is to host an open‑house at a manufacturing facility: facility tours, demonstrations of robotics or CNC machines, Q&A with technicians and engineers, workshops, etc. Inviting students, parents, local schools or colleges, and educators helps demystify what happens in modern manufacturing.

Other ideas include partnering with local tech or STEM programs, holding career fairs, virtual visits or online content that shows behind‑the‑scenes in factories, or running challenges or contests (e.g. design, coding, prototyping) tied to manufacturing themes. Social media can help spread the word, share stories of workers in manufacturing, and show how products are made. Policies or programs to support training and apprenticeship might also be highlighted.

Some simple ways organizations and individuals might take part:

• Organize or attend a tour of a modern factory or facility, showing advanced machinery or digital tools
• schools arranging field trips or talks from people working in manufacturing
• companies offering interns, apprenticeships or workshops to young people to let them try out technologies like robotics or CAD
• creating content (video, social media posts) that shows behind‑the‑scenes: what your factory does, what roles are needed, what skills are useful
• hosting or promoting career fairs, recruitment days focused on manufacturing careers

Manufacturing Day Dates Table