DEUTZ hosts manufacturing day for students

DEUTZ Corporation partnered with ResourceMFG, an EmployBridge Company, to host Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) on Oct. 2 for approximately 40 students from nearby schools and Lanier Technical College.

Created by Founding Partner Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International in 2012, and now produced by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), MFG Day aims to connect the nation’s future workforce with potential employers and presents manufacturing careers in a more positive light, according to organizers. In 2018, 275,000 people participated in nearly 3,000 MFG DAY events across North America.

“We were very pleased that these students came out to see our facility,” said Jim Smith, director of production operations for DEUTZ Corporation. “It was a chance for students in the Pendergrass area to see career options that are innovative and impactful by showing them the exciting work that takes place at DEUTZ. We look forward to expanding this celebration for next year and connecting with more of the Pendergrass area’s future workforce.”

Industry sources estimate two million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled over the next decade due to companies’ inability to find talent with the required skills. Five years ago, several leading industry organizations determined the best way to combat the problem and reverse the negative misperceptions surrounding manufacturing and construction is to show them “up close and personal” work that takes place at plants across the U.S.

“ResourceMFG is pleased to collaborate with DEUTZ to close the ongoing skills gap in manufacturing and introduce opportunities to the next generation of blue collar workers,” said Alex Vasquez, division vice president of ResourceMFG. “The MFG Day event at DEUTZ was a small victory against the gap, and the students, our bright future minds, who attended were impressive.”

Adrienne Merritt, senior human resources generalist for DEUTZ Corporation, said that MFG Day was a success for all involved.

“[MFG Day] was a wonderful opportunity for DEUTZ to showcase our Pendergrass facility to students and faculty from Jackson County area high schools and Lanier Technical College,” Merritt said. “I was pleased to see the enthusiasm and interest among the students as they toured our operations and interacted well with our staff. We are extremely pleased to have hosted this MFG Day event and hope we were able to bring a greater awareness of manufacturing as a successful career path.”