Governor Kitzhaber and Mayor Hales declare first week of October to be Manufacturing Week

WHAT:

In celebration of National Manufacturing Day, Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) and companies across Oregon will host a number of free educational events, tours and job fairs for more than 600 students throughout Oregon to grow public knowledge about the state manufacturing industry and the careers available to students upon graduation. Planned manufacturing events include a screening of the newly released documentary “American Made Movie,” followed by a panel discussion exploring the industry and its future in Oregon. A number of local manufacturers will also host free facility tours to students and other Oregonians interested in learning about the state’s growing and diverse manufacturing sector (pre-registration required).

WHEN:

“American Made Movie” screening and manufacturing panel discussion with OMEP
October 2, 2014 – 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cinema 21 – 616 NW 21st Ave., Portland

Local Manufacturing Facility Tours
October 3, 2014 – Times and Locations Vary
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales will attend a National Manufacturing Day kickoff event at Benson High School, 546 NE 12th Ave., Portland, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici will attend a tour of Vernier Software & Technology from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and give a brief address to students.
Vernier Software & Technology – 13979 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton

Rep. Bonamici will also hold an exclusive manufacturing roundtable event the same day with industry leaders from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Q&D Manufacturing.
Q&D Manufacturing – 1449 NE 25th Ave., Hillsboro

A list of all Oregon companies hosting manufacturing tours and events, including the Maker’s Gone Pro Faire, can be found on the National Manufacturing Day website.

WHY:

Manufacturing Day is determined to expand knowledge about and improve general public perception of manufacturing careers and manufacturing’s value to the U.S. economy. Manufacturing Day is for students, parents, educators, media, customers, suppliers and the community at large. Visitors will learn about real career opportunities, training, and resources. In addition, manufacturers will learn about business improvement resources and services delivered through manufacturing extension partnerships. Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Oregon’s economy:

• Manufacturers drive Oregon’s economy, with $15.6 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2013
• Oregon ranked second nationally in the proportion of its GDP generated by the manufacturing sector (27.8% compared to 12% nationally)
• The manufacturing sector provides nearly 175,000 jobs for Oregonians
• Advanced manufacturing sector is projected to grow by 19% by 2022
• Manufacturers will need to replace an estimated 30,000 jobs due to retirements and growth over the next 10 years.

SPONSORS:

“American Made Movie” screening is sponsored by Pacific Continental Bank.

Student Tours are sponsored by the following:

• Platinum Sponsor: Lam Research
• Gold Sponsors: Boeing, Portland Development Commission, Q&D Manufacturing, and Vigor Industrial
• Additional financial support provided by: Cascade Corporation, Enoch Manufacturing, KCR Manufacturing, Sunset Manufacturing, Tube Specialties Company, Teeny Foods, Vanguard EMS, and West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce.

Tours are presented in collaboration with Clackamas Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Portland Community College, Tri-County School to Work Consortium, Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County, Worksystems, Inc., and WorkSource Oregon.

STUDENTS:

Students in Oregon who are interested in participating in a National Manufacturing Day event or finding a tour near their town can visit http://oregonmfgday.com

QUOTES:

• U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley – “If we don’t make things in America, we won’t have a middle class in America. Made-in-Oregon manufacturing drives our economy and is a major source of the good, living-wage jobs that are so crucial to our state. Having seen firsthand Oregon’s vibrant manufacturing economy and the difference it makes when we connect our young folks to hands-on experiences with manufacturing, I know that the initiatives that are going on across the state today will be a big win-win for our students and our economy.

• U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici – “Northwest Oregon is home to many manufacturers, ranging from metal fabrication to software and precision electronics. There are diverse and exciting opportunities for living-wage jobs in local manufacturing, and Manufacturing Day is a great time to raise awareness among students, parents, teachers, and the broader community. I’m looking forward to participating in Manufacturing Day activities, meeting with local companies, and joining students as they explore the range of opportunities in manufacturing.”

• Portland Mayor Charlie Hales – “Portland is a city of ‘makers.’ We make the latest software and apps, of course, but we also have many traditional manufacturing jobs, right here in the city. The ‘jobs of the future’ can, and will, include welders and machinists. And students need to know that there are opportunities out there in some very traditional ‘tech’ industries.”

• OMEP President Chris Scherer – “National Manufacturing Day highlights Oregon’s manufacturing heroes and introduces young people to viable career options. It is gratifying to see the positive response of individuals, schools and local government for a tradition that is only in its third year. As President of OMEP, I am thrilled about the dramatic increase in the appreciation for manufacturing’s economic impact to our economy and contribution to middle income jobs.”

• Lam Research President and CEO Martin Anstice, Tualatin – “To produce the tiny, complex chips used in products such as cell phones, computing devices, and entertainment gadgets, semiconductor manufacturers require highly sophisticated processes and equipment. Lam Research’s products play a key role in this, allowing chipmakers to build device features that are more than 1,000 times smaller than a grain of sand. In fact, nearly every leading-edge integrated circuit made today has been processed with Lam Research equipment.  A significant share of this equipment is manufactured in our rapidly-growing facility in Tualatin, Oregon. In order to continue to grow and thrive here in Oregon, we need talented people with a passion for working directly on the leading edge of technology. Lam Research is proud to be a part of Manufacturing Day – opening the eyes of students to the work opportunities in manufacturing and encouraging them to develop the skills they need to qualify for long-term careers in this secure and growing sector of the economy.”

• Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative’s Andrew McGough – “Two years ago, the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative convened industry leaders to develop a collaborative, regional strategy toward solving the region’s manufacturing workforce challenges. Last year, on Manufacturing Day, we unveiled a comprehensive plan. Today we are seeing action toward the industry’s number one priority – a youth pipeline. In partnership with economic development, education and industry partners, we are pleased that over 600 young people will see opportunities in the manufacturing industry.”

About OMEP

OMEP is a not-for-profit team of business and manufacturing professionals – one of more than 60 Manufacturing Extension Partnership resource centers nationwide – that aims to make Oregon companies more competitive. OMEP provides Lean Enterprise training/implementation assistance and industry-driven best practices to a wide variety of industry sectors. A partner of choice for the economic development community, OMEP’s emphasis on strengthening and transforming companies creates a ripple effect of positive sustainable impact on the business, the workforce and the community. For more information about OMEP, please find us at omep.org.