“Everything they do is so cool!” said a student while touring United Radio during New York State’s Manufacturing Month this October. In celebration of this momentous month, MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, and Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB) partnered with 12 local manufacturers to showcase their facilities to over 400 educators and students from 14 school districts across our region. “Manufacturing Month is an invaluable opportunity to showcase real-life examples of modern manufacturing and ignite excitement and interest among students, educators, and the community about the innovative career opportunities in the area,” said Randy Wolken, President & CEO of MACNY.

The companies that supported Manufacturing Month this year by participating in tours were Anheuser-Busch, Bartell Machinery Systems, Bluefors, Byrne Dairy, Cayuga Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute, Indium Corporation, Morse Manufacturing, OCWA, TTM Technologies, United Radio, Waygate Technologies, and Worthington Steel. These forward-thinking companies opened their doors to students, welcoming them to experience how local products are made by participating in all levels of the manufacturing process. Many companies organized hands-on activities to engage students, from performing PH and feathering testing on milk at Byrne Dairy to a 55-gallon drum relay race at Morse Manufacturing. These experiences enabled students to make a greater and more meaningful connection between local industry and the products they see and use every day. It also served as a valuable opportunity to see and experience first-hand the exciting and rewarding careers in manufacturing. State legislators joined the tours to meet with students and show support for the manufacturing community, including Assemblymember Lemondes, Assemblymember Buttenschon, and a representative from Assemblymember Hunter’s office.

“Year after year, Byrne is thrilled to participate in Manufacturing Month. It’s motivating to see the students get excited about what Byrne does. Having the opportunity to speak to students as they’re contemplating their futures is important. We want to show them all the possibilities available when working in manufacturing. Students offer a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, and the technical skills needed to drive the industry forward,” said Kelly Farrell, Sr. HR Manager of Byrne.

“Morse Manufacturing finds great value in opening our doors to students. These experiences allow our employees to share their work and engage the community in manufacturing. Through tours and hands-on projects, we provide students with exciting real-life examples of where their careers may start or develop in the future,” said Nate Andrews, President of Morse Manufacturing.

“Corcoran High School manufacturing program students participated in Manufacturing Month by visiting the Byrne facility. They gained insights into the milk production sterilization and packaging processes, participated in hands-on activities alongside experienced engineers and chemists, and engaged in experiments explaining the scientific principles of various manufacturing processes. This immersive experience allowed them to connect theoretical knowledge from their coursework with real-world applications in a professional setting. This multifaceted experience allowed students to gain invaluable insights into the workings of the manufacturing industry, enhance their understanding of the field, and begin to consider careers in engineering, chemistry, and manufacturing. Not only does exposure to industry practices excite students, but it also inspires them to think creatively about how to use their skills and knowledge as they gear up for their future careers,” shared Ryan Terpening, P-TECH & Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Corcoran High School.

Programming during Manufacturing Month extended beyond facility tours and included other activities that support career exploration. On October 12^th, the Future Women in STEM Series began at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST). This free series, presented by MACNY and sponsored by AT&T, takes place on the second Saturday of the month from October to May. It’s designed for girls in 6^th-8^th grade to spark an interest in the growing fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on activities, led by female industry professionals.

Manufacturing Month would not have been possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors: BuildSubmarines.com, Bank of America, Belden Inc., Dreissig Apparel Inc., Anheuser-Busch, Bartell Machinery Systems, Cayuga Community College, Flex Hose Co., Inc., ITT Goulds Pumps, Morse Manufacturing, SRC, Inc., TACNY (Technology Alliance of Central New York), TDO, TTM Technologies, United Radio, Anoplate Corporation, Indium Corporation, and The MOST. These sponsors join thousands of manufacturers across the U.S. in supporting education around the realities of modern manufacturing to inspire the next generation of creators.