DICKINSON — Education, community and industry partners are coming together to coordinate a Manufacturing Day event on Friday, Oct. 4 at Bay College West Campus (Bay West) as a part of the “Heavy Metal Tours” campaign.

The purpose of this campaign is to proactively educate students and the community about the skilled trades and technical career opportunities that exist locally.

Manufacturing Day will include around 300 freshman students from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, Norway- Vulcan, North Dickinson and Florence. Students will participate in a series of hands-on activities presented by Lakeshore Systems, BOSS Snowplow, Systems Control, Loadmaster, CCI Systems, Verso and American Axle and Manufacturing.

Dickinson County currently boasts a high concentration of manufacturing and industry jobs representing more than 20% of the workforce.

“Our employers are not only faced with the challenge of baby boomer retirements, but it is estimated we will be adding over 1,300 new and replacement jobs in the area within the next three to five years. We have to be proactive,” shared Lois Ellis, executive director of the Dickinson County Economic Development Alliance.

The Alliance, Bay West, Northern Initiatives, the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District and Michigan Works! are all contributing time, treasures and talents to make this a successful event for the students.

“We need to inform our students and their families that technical and skilled trades’ careers offer excellent wages. There’s huge opportunity to grow and you don’t need to put yourself into years of debt,” said Gina Wollner, dean of Bay College West.

Manufacturing Day is just one of many events within a larger effort to educate the community on our workforce shortage and the opportunities that exist for young people. Heavy Metal Tours hosts Industry Open Doors, School Tours and a Manufacturing Camp as well. For more information visit heavymetaltours.com.