August 2016
In this issue:
What is Manufacturing Day & Why Should I Care?MFGDay
Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY  is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. MFG DAY addresses common misconceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is - and what it isn't.
 

Why should I care?
There are 12.33 million manufacturing workers in the United States, accounting for 9 percent of the workforce.
  1. In 2014, the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $79,553 annually, including pay and benefits. The average worker in all industries earned $64,204.
  2. Manufacturers have one of the highest percentages of workers who are eligible for health benefits provided by their employer.
  3. Over the next decade, nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed, and 2 million are expected to go unfilled due to due to a lack of skilled workers.
  4. Taken alone, manufacturing in the United States would be the ninth-largest economy in the world.
  5. Every October since 2013, manufacturers take time to focus on MFG Day. After a strong initial showing of 64 events, participation in Colorado has gradually declined to only 11 registered events in 2015.
 
What can I do?
If you are a manufacturer...

Plan to host an event and get involved. An event could be any of the following:
  • Host a factory tour or open house
  • Create and share a "what we do" video
  • Host a happy hour
  • Host a coffee hour
  • Create and offer a webinar
  • Provide a school tour or visit a local school classroom
  • Host a neighborhood night
  • Or come up with your own idea
Although MFG DAY is officially the first Friday in October (this year is October 7, 2016) any day can be MFG DAY.

By working together during and after MFG DAY, we can begin to address the skilled labor shortage, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry. Together, we can show that Colorado is not just a great place to live, but also to work.

Manufacturer's Edge is here to help. We will help come up with ideas and register your event. Visit www.manufacturersedge.com/MFGDAY16 or email our Manufacturing Day Coordinator, Tracey McCarthy . All events should be registered on the MFGDay.com site no matter what date they are scheduled. Only registered event hosts have access to all of the free event planning and execution resources created by the national co-producers.

If you are a student, a teacher, a parent, a counselor, or a job seeker...

Check out the educational resources available. Get out and attend as many MFG DAY events as possible. For a complete list visit MFGDAY.com/events . Check back often as events are added every day. Colorado's advanced manufacturers make everything from beer to spaceships, and literally EVERYTHING in between. If there is a subject that interests you or your students, chances are someone in manufacturing is making it or making it possible. MFG DAY events are a great way to explore these fields and help answer the age-old question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Because if you have to work, you might as well love what you do.
Instructor Bill Hubiak
"Bill was fantastic.  He was one of the best instructors I have ever had.  He had great content.  He knew how to keep it interesting and upbeat.  Everyone at Gordon was very impressed. I would take any class from him."
- Max Fulton, CEO, Gordon Sign Company
 
A successful project leader knows how to bring together, expedite, and monitor the essential elements of complex organizational tasks to align project and corporate objectives. This entertaining program with instructor Bill Hubiak will introduce participants to the tools and techniques necessary to be a successful project leader who completes projects on time and under budget! Seats are filling fast for this rare public offering, and registration is only $299! 


Who Should Attend?
  • Executives who manage project-intensive organizations
  • Experienced project managers who want to enhance their ability to generate successful project outcomes or prepare for PMP certification
  • New and prospective project managers who want to jump-start their careers
  • Project team members wanting to improve their capacity to work and think together
Take an End-of-Summer Road Trip with the 
Colorado Space Business Roundtable
CSBRManufacturer's Edge is excited to once again sponsor the Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) Road Trips.   The purpose of the road trips is to seek businesses that could become suppliers and subcontractors in the aerospace industry, promote Colorado's aerospace industry, and promote STEM education activities. 
The Road Trip is broken into 2 sections, the first on the Western Slope, and the second on the Eastern Plains. Participants will join representatives from Manufacturer's Edge and aerospace companies from across the state to seek out the innovation and excellence that Colorado aerospace needs to forge new paths to the stars. For more information visit the event page on the CSBR website. 
Manufacturer's Connect Streamlines Supply Chain for Aerospace and More aviation
Two brand new Pilatus PC-12 Business aircraft await the installation of their interiors at the Rocky Mountain Municipal Airport. 
Colorado Aviation is taking off and Manufacturer's Edge stands ready to support the flight!

Tucked awa y at the Rocky Mountain Municipal Airport in Broomfield is a collection of hangars that since 1996 have seen the completion of over 1000 Pilatus PC-12 business and commercial aircraft. While these airframes are constructed at the company's home base in Switzerland, the interiors of these aircraft are manufactured right here in Colorado. While just a small part of the aerospace industry in Colorado, and an even smaller percentage of the worldwide business aviation market, Pilatus has consistently employed around 80 highly skilled aerospace professionals in a wide range of specialties.

In mid-July the employees at Pilatus were joined by VIPs, executives, and government officials as they broke ground on a new 118,000 square foot facility on the northwest corner of Rocky Mountain Municipal Airport which will become the final finishing point of a brand new, unique class of twin engine business jet, the Pilatus PC-24. This new facility expects to employ upwards of 140 people in the spring of 2018.

Pilatus is just one of many aerospace companies that have decided to make Colorado's Front Range home. With a near-perfect climate, Colorado has great flying weather almost every day of the year. The standard of living here also makes the state highly attractive to these companies. But the icing on the cake is the small firms that help to bolster the supply chain in Colorado. Manufacturer's Edge is working with Colorado State University to further develop our Manufacturer's Connect tool, which will enable manufacturers to streamline their supply chain and improve efficiency by connecting aircraft manufacturers with Colorado companies that make everything from raw sheet metal stock to highly complex and customized avionics. The tool works for more than just aerospace companies, with manufacturers from dozens of industries completing their profiles to make it easier than ever to connect with customers and suppliers.

For more information on how your company can utilize Manufacturer's Connect, contact Cynthia Christie, Director of Client Services, or sign up for free today at https://www.manufacturersedge.com/manufacturers-connect/.

Kids Connection Update KidsConnection
Colorado Manufacturing is growing fast, and today's manufacturing jobs are not the dirty, dangerous ones of a century ago. To help fill the workforce needs of manufacturers, Colorado Community Colleges have developed some great tools and programs to help students more efficiently gain the skills and experience they need to enter the workforce, complete with road maps to help students and their families plan out an efficient, cost-effective way to get their education completed and join other highly-skilled workers to build Colorado. Sit down with your student and start mapping out a plan to a successful career in advanced manufacturing today with the Colorado Community Colleges at cocareeractiontools.com.
The easy to navigate career road map developed by the Colorado Community College System


Maintaining a Technology Company Today BKD
from BKD CPAs & Advisors
Every day brings new companies, ideas and technologies, and staying at the informational forefront requires seeking advice from those familiar with the industry. BKD Tax Director Joanna Simek discusses the importance of forward thinking, patience and other factors in creating and maintaining a technology company today.

For more information, contact Heath Alloway at 800.472.2745 or [email protected]. 

Women Have a Bright Future in Manufacturing MachiningClass
Front Range Community College is offering an Introduction to Machining for Women class starting in August at FRCC's Advanced Technology Center in Longmont.

"The class teaches machining skills in a supportive environment and helps build confidence," said Jennifer Fyhrie, navigator for the Precision Machining Technology Program. A navigator is an advisor who guides students from entry into the program through to completion. The program has earned accreditation from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS). It also is endorsed by The Manufacturing Institute.

The non-credit class is geared to job seekers with very little or no experience who are interested in preparing for entry-level positions to begin a career in manufacturing. The average entry-level wage for machinists is over $14 per hour. Scholarships are available.

Read more here!
Upcoming Events Events
Visit our website for a complete calendar of manufacturing events taking place around Colorado
The Art and Practice of Project Leadership 
August 29th & 30th, 2016 
8:30am-4:30pm 

BKD Offices, Denver, CO
 
This entertaining program with instructor Bill Hubiak will introduce participants to the tools and techniques needed to be a successful project leader who completes projects on time and under budget! Complete details and registration here. 

"Bill was fantastic.  He was one of the best instructors I have ever had.  He had great content.  He knew how to keep it interesting and upbeat.  Everyone at Gordon was very impressed. I would take any class from him."
- Max Fulton, CEO, Gordon Sign Company




Women in Mfg Professional Development Seminar
Davis Manufacturing Co.
1100 W Louisiana Ave, Denver, CO

Women in Manufacturing and SKILLFUL will be co-hosting a FREE professional development seminar for women looking to break into manufacturing, currently in manufacturing, or students interested in joining this growing field. Hosted by Davis Manufacturing, this luncheon will include career coaching, resume building, seminars on topics ranging from leadership to building an online brand, as well as a keynote from Colman Consulting. More details here. 
Manufacturing Day 2016
October 7th

Manufacturers Nationwide

Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Although Manufacturing Day officially occurs on the first Friday in October-this year is  Oct 7, 2016-any day can be Manufacturing Day.
All events should be registered on this site no matter what date they are scheduled. Only registered event hosts have access to all of the free event planning and execution resources created by the national co-producers.


Get more details at MFGDay.com or on our website here .