Manufacturing Month kicks off across county

Manufacturing Month kicks off across county

Dream It Do It Western New York, the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth are joining manufacturers, schools, workforce partners and communities across the region in celebrating Manufacturing Month throughout October.

In Chautauqua County, manufacturers generate $5.1 billion in annual shipments and manufacturing represents 18% of the county's workforce--more than twice the national share. New York state also identifies manufacturing as a foundational sector of Chautauqua County's economy.

"Manufacturing Month gives us an opportunity to recognize manufacturers of all sizes and the people who make things every day and contribute so much to the strength of our communities," said Chase Churchill, President of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier. "Manufacturers are investing in new technology, developing their people, and creating career opportunities right here in our region. As manufacturers, we also have a responsibility to open our doors and help students, parents, and educators understand the opportunities that exist within our industry. Building the next generation of our workforce starts by giving people the opportunity to see manufacturing firsthand."

The three-county region of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, served by MAST, employs more than 18,000 people in manufacturing and generates approximately $7.5 billion in annual manufacturing shipments. Manufacturing represents 15% of the three-county workforce, demonstrating the sector's outsized importance to the regional economy. Across the five-county region of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties, more than 1,600 manufacturers employ 70,000 people and generate $26.8 billion in annual manufacturing shipments. Manufacturing accounts for 12% of the region's workforce, compared with about 8% nationally.

"The future of manufacturing depends on the young people in our region's classrooms today," said Chris Lanski, chair of Dream It Do It Western New York. "Manufacturing Month gives us an opportunity to introduce those students to careers they may never have considered and to show them that manufacturing today is about technology, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Dream It Do It is about creating those connections early and giving students meaningful experiences that can help them discover a pathway to a successful future right here in Western New York."

Modern manufacturing increasingly requires employees with skills in machining, welding and fabrication, industrial maintenance, automation, robotics, engineering, quality, advanced production, and other technical fields. Dream It Do It identifies welding, machining, electro-mechanical technology, mechanics, quality assurance, and production operations among the region's priority skilled occupations.

Dream It Do It Western New York is building an early talent pipeline across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties by connecting middle and high school students with hands-on learning, manufacturing career exploration, employer experiences, industry-recognized credentials, and pathways into education, training, and employment.

"One of the most rewarding parts of Manufacturing Month is watching students experience manufacturing rather than simply hearing about it," stated Cindy Aronson, Director of Dream It Do It Western New York, Chautauqua County. "When students tour a company, operate equipment, build something with their own hands, and talk directly with people working in the industry, manufacturing becomes real to them. Those experiences build confidence, spark curiosity, and help students recognize talents they may not have known they had. Sometimes one experience is all it takes for a young person to begin imagining a completely different future for themselves."

Through Manufacturing Technology Tours, Girls in Manufacturing, Create Your Future, Manufacturing Mayhem, STEM/TECH Wars, and other hands-on career exploration experiences, students have opportunities to meet people working in manufacturing, enter manufacturing facilities, experience technology firsthand, and understand the education and skills required for different career pathways.

"Manufacturing is part of the identity of Western New York," said Todd Tranum, executive director of MAST and president of DIDIWNY. "These companies provide good careers, support families, invest in our communities, and sell products throughout the country and around the world. Building the next generation manufacturing workforce is not simply a workforce development issue; it is an economic development priority for our entire region."

Manufacturing Month also provides an opportunity for manufacturers, educators, parents, and community organizations to consider the role they can play in strengthening Western New York's future workforce.

"Manufacturing has long been a cornerstone of Chautauqua County's economy, and the CCIDA has a long history of working alongside our manufacturers to help them invest, expand, modernize, and remain competitive," stated Mark Geise, Chautauqua County deputy county executive for economic development and CCIDA CEO. "These companies create good-paying jobs, make significant investments in our communities, and are essential to growing our local economy. Just as important, we need to make sure they have access to the skilled workforce they need to succeed. That means connecting young people with the tremendous career opportunities that exist right here in Chautauqua County and building a strong talent pipeline for the future."

Throughout October, Dream It Do It Western New York and its partners will highlight manufacturers, manufacturing careers, and opportunities for students to experience the industry firsthand.