This article originally comes from the Argus on October 8, 2024
October is National Manufacturing Month, a time to celebrate modern manufacturing and to inspire interest in manufacturing careers. Some manufacturing companies open their doors to the public and join educational institutions and organizations this month in hosting events. Individuals interested in exploring career opportunities in the manufacturing sector can gather information and get a behind the scenes look at different aspects of the industry. The St. Louis Regional Freightway recently launched the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force and is highlighting a few of the upcoming events that have an aerospace component as the Task Force continues its work to grow the talent pipeline.
“Manufacturing is the fourth largest employer within the St. Louis metropolitan statistical area, and aerospace manufacturing is a key component of the overall manufacturing industry here,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. “The region is home to 49 aerospace manufacturing businesses that, combined, account for nearly 17,300 employees, and an estimated 1,000 new jobs are being added due to recent and planned expansions by some of those firms, making this a great time to check out some of the upcoming events and explore a manufacturing career.”
In Union, Missouri, East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) will recognize the significance of the regional manufacturing industry through Oct. 4 with tours of its Business and Industry Center (BIC) available every day for local middle and high school students. The 2nd Annual Manufacturing Summit will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the BIC, bringing together key manufacturing managers and providing a platform for networking, exploring the latest industry tools and gaining insights into trends that impact the sector. These events are part of East Central College’s ongoing commitment to bring attention to the vital role of manufacturing in the local economy and to connect students with career opportunities in the field.
Educator registration is still available for Virtual MFG Day 2024, an event hosted by the Missouri Chamber Foundation Friday, Oct. 4 – in partnership with Missouri Enterprise and the Manufacturing Institute. With talent recruitment and development being the top concern for Missouri manufacturers, this virtual live-streamed event will cover ways to address the workforce shortage through early awareness and career pathway development for students, showcasing manufacturers from around Missouri that will teach students about the amazing career potential that exists across the manufacturing industry. Classrooms can join the event for free and ask live questions by logging into the Zoom event to participate. Additional resources and links to more than two dozen additional events taking place across Missouri and Southwestern Illinois can be found at mfgday.com.
SOAR into STEM is a five-week, learning experience that provides middle and high school students with project-based learning, connections to STEM curriculum and a front-row seat into the workings of a global aviation nonprofit using airplanes to change and save lives. The first session is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Wings of Hope hangar in Chesterfield, Missouri. Students will expand their knowledge of flight, mechanics, and navigation as well as explore aviation career paths, focusing on humanitarian aviation. Each week after, students will engage with introductory curriculum, guest speakers, career mentorship, and hands-on learning activities that concludes with a flight in a Cessna with a Certified Flight Instructor. For registration details, contact Lee Ann Nolte at LeeAnn.Nolte@nullwingsofhope.ngo.
In partnership with Women in Aviation International, Saint Louis University’s Girls in Aviation Day returns to St. Louis Downtown Airport in St. Clair County, Illinois, on Monday, Oct. 28, and will feature interactive aviation activities, a career expo and luncheon with speakers and presentations. Hosted for female high school students in grades 9-12, teachers and schools can register groups of up to 15 students as a field trip, or individual students are welcome to attend with a chaperone. While registration is full for this year’s event, interested individuals and teachers can email sseoutreach@nullslu.edu to be added to the waitlist or request information on future events.
“The St. Louis region is home to four times more aerospace manufacturing employees than similar-sized markets, and those employees earn an average salary of $80,000 per year,” said Lamie, “We hope that local students interested in becoming part of this robust aerospace and aviation ecosystem take advantage of the opportunities to participate in one of these upcoming events to learn more about navigating their way into a lifetime career.”
For more information about the region’s aerospace and aviation industry and to access a calendar of additional upcoming events, visit the Aerospace and Aviation Task Force website at https://www.thefreightway.com/why-stl-region/aerospace-and-aviation/. The website serves as a connection between employers and prospective employees, offering a wealth of information for anyone interested in entering the field of aerospace manufacturing and aviation. Resources available include videos that illustrate the types of jobs and careers available in the industry and highlight the St. Louis region’s role in global aerospace; information on training and educational programs to pursue jobs in this sector, and extensive data illustrating the strength of this robust ecosystem.
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