October 22, 2019

Students tour BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. during Manufacturing Day 2019.

Over 100 students from Jackson-Madison County Schools participated in Manufacturing Day, coordinated by Jackson State Community College (JSCC) and the Jackson Chamber on October 18. Area manufacturers held tours and informational sessions to educate students about the skills needed for today’s jobs. Industries participating in the event include BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc., Delta Faucet Company, NOVOLEX, Gerdau, Owens-Corning, Printpack Inc, Stanley Black & Decker, Tennalum and Toyota Boshoku Tennessee, LLC.

“The goal for this program is to promote modern manufacturing and expose students to great career options,” said Vicki Bunch, VP Talent Development for the Jackson Chamber.

“Manufacturing Day is an eye-opening opportunity to bring modern manufacturing to life for our high school students. Jackson Chamber is honored to be a partner in Manufacturing Day, while assisting our local manufacturers with the opportunity to open their facilities and expose students to the many diverse, in-demand, rewarding careers in modern manufacturing.”

Manufacturing Day began nationwide in 2012 to give manufacturers a chance to open their doors and showcase what manufacturing is to high school students, teachers, counselors and parents. It is a great way to open minds to a new career opportunity for a sound future with over 3.5 million manufacturing jobs being generated in the next decade. On October 25th, Jackson-Madison County School System counselors and teachers will also have the opportunity to learn more about manufacturing from leaders in the field when they visit Toyota Bodine.

In our community, Jackson State Community College (JSCC) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) give students the opportunity to gain paid work-based experience while completing their education. Programs like TN Promise and the Hope Scholarship allow students to get their degrees at little or no cost.

Miranda Cox and Brandon Semirosum gave talks to North Side High School students at BlueScope.

Miranda Cox is a student in the Advanced Manufacturing Technician program at JSCC. She comes from a manufacturing background and decided to go through this program to grow in the industrial field. “The best part about the AMT program, is that I can get my education, get hands-on experience and make money at the same time,” says Miranda Cox, JSCC student and employee at TBDN.

Brandon Semirosum, also an AMT student at JSCC that is employed at TBDN, says that being able to work and attend college gives him the opportunity to be debt free and have a career. He should get his certification within two years.

Manufacturing Day provides manufacturers with an opportunity to connect directly with job seekers and students to begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face. Supported by a group of industry sponsors, Manufacturing Day amplifies the voice of individual manufacturers and delivers a coordinated message about common concerns and challenges. The rallying point for a growing mass movement, Manufacturing Day empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.

North Side High School students visit Delta Faucet Company.

About Manufacturing Day

The event is a grassroots effort by U.S. manufacturers to improve public perception of manufacturing in America by coordinating awareness-raising activities at a variety of locations across the country during the month of October.

Manufacturing Day has enjoyed support from many organizations that have played a vital role in growing this national celebration of all things manufacturing. Manufacturing Day is now produced annually by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) with key contributions and support from the Manufacturing Institute.

About the Jackson Chamber

The Jackson Chamber was founded in 1905 – seven years prior to the United States Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber consists of a diverse and talented staff, an executive committee, dedicated volunteers, and more than 1,350 business members – all committed to growing the economy and quality of life for everyone in Madison County and the region.