Harper to host 'Manufacturing Day' events

Manufacturers know they need to work at changing the antiquated idea of what manufacturing is to close the gap in skilled labor. That means opening their doors so the public can experience their highly technical, modern manufacturing facilities firsthand.

Harper College and area manufacturers will do just that on the third annual Manufacturing Day, a growing grass-roots movement of U.S. and Canadian manufacturers out to demonstrate the potential of present-day manufacturing and foster interest in related careers.

The public is invited to attend Harper's Manufacturing Day event from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, on the college's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. Participants will hear from students currently enrolled in Harper's Advanced Manufacturing program and see lab demonstrations.

Attendees are then invited to visit open houses at partnering manufacturers including Acme Industries and Toshiba Machine in Elk Grove Village and Precision Zone in Wheeling. About 100 students from Barrington, Elk Grove and Hersey high schools are also scheduled to participate.

"This is an opportunity to learn about Harper's Advanced Manufacturing program and see how manufacturing enables our everyday lives, drives our economy and offers a variety of rewarding careers," said Mary Beth Ottinger, dean of Career and Technical Programs.

This isn't your grandfather's manufacturing. Facilities today require highly trained, well-paid employees who work on state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to the high-tech environment, the average total compensation for manufacturing workers in the U.S. totaled nearly $80,000 compared to about $67,000 for nonmanufacturing workers, according to a 2012 report by The Manufacturing Institute. And 78 percent of manufacturing firms offer health benefits compared to 54 percent of nonmanufacturing private sector firms.

In 2013, Manufacturing Day featured 834 events nationally drawing more than 35,000 people. This year's movement is expected to grow.

Harper's Manufacturing Day event is free, but registration is required. For information, visit harpercollege.edu or call Community Relations Manager Amie Granger at (847) 925-6741.