A NATIONAL MOVEMENT WITH LOCAL IMPACT
MFG Day was launched in 2012 by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association and grew with partners like the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Manufacturing Institute, and has since been embraced across the country as a way to dispel outdated perceptions of manufacturing and need for highly skilled talent.
NWPA’s MFG Day celebration began in 2014 with a movie for area students at The MBA Conference Center in Erie. The MBA and its partners — the NWPA Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), Career Street, Harbor Creek School District, and Crawford County K-12 Career Education Alliance — along with major sponsor AirBorn, Inc. and dozens of other sponsors have since embraced the mission wholeheartedly, building one of the strongest regional MFG Day programs in the nation at the Bayfront Convention Center. Thousands of students, educators and community members have taken part over the years, seeing first-hand the opportunities that exist in their own backyard.
“We are extremely proud of what we continue to achieve through MFG Day,” says MBA President and CEO Lori Joint. “This event is a critical connection, bridging education and industry. We are grateful to our main event sponsor AirBorn, Inc., partners and supporters for making it happen year after year.”
OPENING EYES TO CAREER PATHWAYS
On MFG Day 2025, more than 2,000 students and educators from area schools will meet employers from area manufacturers and support industries and experience what it means to build, design and innovate. From advanced machining to plastics production, welding to robotics, the organizations are eager to show these students the critical role they play in the economy — and the fulfilling careers that can come from choosing this path.
As Buckley Cook, Ph.D., superintendent of Harbor Creek School District, a longtime partner of MFG Day, explains, “I believe that one of the most unfair questions we ask students is, ‘What do you want to do with the rest of your life?’ So, this day helps students answer that question by either sparking an interest or taking something off of their list.
“In a world where college is not for everybody, but some sort of post-secondary education is, it is the responsibility of the school districts to expose students to what is out there in the way of career options
and what it takes to get there,” Cook adds. “This opportunity allows students to explore various roles, from machinists and welders to engineers and technicians working with robotics and automation. They learn about the different skills and educational requirements for these jobs, whether it’s an apprenticeship, a two-year technical degree or a four-year college degree.” Amy Godwin, program coordinator of the Crawford County K–12 Career Education.
Alliance Program, another MFG Day partner, calls the event a “one-stop-shop” with more than 60 area companies represented. “It’s a great opportunity to take advantage of so many manufacturers together in one place.”
FILLING A SKILLS GAP
Like many regions across the United States, NWPA faces a workforce challenge. As experienced employees retire, there is a pressing need to attract and train the next generation. Events like MFG Day are essential for building that pipeline. By sparking interest early, students are encouraged to pursue technical training, apprenticeships and higher education programs aligned with manufacturing careers.
Educators note that students return to the classroom more engaged, asking deeper questions and seeking out opportunities they didn’t previously know existed.
“I believe it gives students a firsthand look at potential career paths they may not have considered otherwise,” says Cook. “This direct exposure can make their education more meaningful by connecting classroom subjects like math and science to real-world applications. A career experience like this provides a direct link to local employers, creating valuable networking opportunities. The event is also a chance for teachers and counselors to get a more accurate and modern view of the manufacturing industry. This allows them to better advise students and integrate relevant skills into their curriculum, making their teaching more effective and relevant to students’ future careers.“
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
The success of MFG Day in Erie is due to collaboration among manufacturers, schools, workforce development agencies and community partners. Each group plays an important role — ensuring that students are introduced to a wide variety of roles.
According to Jennifer Nygaard Pontzer, director of partner Career Street, MFG Day brings together industry leaders under one roof to showcase the products, innovations, and processes that set them apart. Middle and high school students and their educators from the across Erie County, the city and beyond have the unique opportunity to connect directly with the owners, makers and business representatives who drive our region’s manufacturing success.
“The atmosphere is electric — manufacturers are eager to share their stories, and students are equally eager to learn. Beyond the vibrant showroom floor, breakout sessions on STEM-related topics offer exceptional, hands-on learning experiences,” she says. “By the end of the day, both students and educators walk away with a deeper understanding of the vital role manufacturing plays in our community — and a clearer picture of the exciting career paths this industry offers.”
Tami Adams, executive director of the NWPA Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association, describes MFG Day as an “interactive experience where students can ask questions, learn about career pathways and explore the skills needed in today’s manufacturing world.”
One of Adams’ personal favorite aspects is the time spent on breakout sessions. NWPA NTMA’s team works diligently to design sessions that give students a deeper understanding of manufacturing careers and technologies. They spotlight high-interest areas such as industrial robotics, drone applications,
3D printing and the always-popular STEM Playground — featuring interactive, hands- on activities — which consistently spark curiosity and excitement.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
As MFG Day 2025 approaches, excitement is building. Students will once again learn about employers whose ideas are turned into products, and where curiosity can ignite a career. Manufacturers and partner organizations are preparing interactive demonstrations, hands-on challenges with prizes, and inspiring stories to share. Educators are preparing students with background lessons to maximize the impact of what they’ll see.
“In 2025, I’m especially excited about the STEM Challenges, which will offer students small-group, hands-on activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving and teamwork,” says Adams. “Additionally, a group of NTMA member companies — longtime MFG Day exhibitors — have been collaborating to design more interactive and engaging booth experiences. Their goal is to create activities that directly connect to the skills and technologies used in the trade, capturing student interest in new and exciting ways. I can’t wait to see their creative ideas come to life on event day!”
Most importantly, MFG Day continues to build bridges between generations — connecting seasoned professionals with young minds eager to explore, learn and imagine themselves in these roles.
“There’s nothing like seeing students fully engaged with local manufacturers — watching their curiosity spark, overhearing their excited conversations as they move from booth to booth, and connecting with educators who are just as energized by the atmosphere,” notes Nygaard Pontzer. “Each year, this event reaffirms for me the incredible ideas and products that originate in our region and reach far beyond — to every corner of the world, and even into space. It’s an experience that fills me with pride for our community and our country.”
As the region celebrates 12 years of MFG Day in 2025, the message is clear: Manufacturing is not just part of the region’s past — it is central its future.
On October 8, the next generation of makers will walk through the doors of the Bayfront Convention Center — and perhaps, discover a bright spark toward careers that will keep the area manufacturing for decades to come.
For more information, visit mbausa.org.
