Toyota Celebrates Manufacturing Day at Missouri Plant

Manufacturing Day took place on the first Friday in October. This year it was on October 7th.
This is a holiday which not only celebrates modern manufacturing but also encourages and animates the next generation of manufacturers. By attracting 60 students, manufacturers, mentors and civic collaborators get their next generation of manufacturers.

There were more than 2,300 manufacturers from across the nation involved in Toyota Bodine Aluminum opening their doors in order to offer all students perceptive, onsite knowledge. With this opportunity they can be educated about the possible careers in the field of manufacturing.

“Seeing is believing! Often times a stigma exists among young people that manufacturing is a dark and dirty environment. Manufacturing Day is designed to offer students a positive perception of manufacturing and open their eyes to the highly technical environment that exists among the majority of manufacturers today,” said Wes Woods, general manager administration at Toyota Bodine.

The Toyota Bodine event and other Manufacturing Day activities do not just promote certain aspects of the industry; they also give the students a chance to see many different options in a manufacturing career. These options and possibilities are innovative and impressive.
Predictions are that the 2 million manufacturing jobs will not be filled. During the next decade companies will not be able to find talented people with technical skills that are essential.

Toyota Bodine teamed up with two other local manufacturers, Elite Tool and Die and Menne Tool and Die, educators, state leaders, state and local chambers as well as civic partners to manage event for this year.

“The number one thing I hear from business owners across my district is a need for technically-educated employees. This partnership between Bodine and local employers, along with the State Technical College, solution that can be used statewide,” said Missouri Senator Jeanie Riddle.

Students who took part in Manufacturing Day will compete in a video competition supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Dream It Do It to highlight “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?”

The students’ job will be to create videos which will feature local manufacturing facilities. This competition is designed for students to help them get a first-hand look at possible career opportunities in manufacturing.

Toyota Bodine Aluminium is dedicated to develop skills and other career opportunities for students in the region. All this is one through donations and other programs such as the Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program.