National Manufacturing Day has grown over the last couple of years (www.mfgday.com). This year, nearly 1,700 events were held across the country, including 64 in New York state. In Central New York, Partners for Education & Business (PEB) and MACNY collaborated with Bristol-Myers Squibb to bring about the 5th annual Manufacturing Careers Day event on Oct. 3. 

The day began with a session for business, education, and community leaders. John Mosack, general manager of Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), welcomed the attendees and presented an overview of the company’s operations in Syracuse, including how the business has re-invented itself to remain globally competitive. 

Later, an advanced manufacturing panel addressed why manufacturing matters, how it is thriving in Central New York, and how those audience leaders can help to create a “spark” for students to consider careers in manufacturing. Guest presenters included Dr. José Iribarne of RockTenn, Kirk Wardell of Marquardt Switches, and Nicholas Dominesey of G.A. Braun. 

Nearly 300 students and teachers from area school districts, colleges, and BOCES attended the student/educator portion of the event. 

Throughout nine “tour stops,” students learned about the careers at BMS needed to manufacture its important cancer-fighting drugs: Metrology; Microbiology Control; Development Labs; multiple engineering and technicians and other careers that support manufacturing. They also took part in a Biologics “gowning” demonstration, toured the “real-life” models in the new bio-manufacturing area still under construction by O’Brien & Gere. Additionally, students viewed interactive robotics exhibits from Liverpool High School and Clarkson University, ES-M High School’s RxE SEARCH Program — a partnership with BMS, and Anoplate Corporation’s penny-plating demonstration. 

Cryomech hosted a second visit in the afternoon for the OCC students and faculty in the Mechanical and Electrical Technology Program. Cryomech manufactures cryo-refrigeration products and services. The company arranged an overview of its products and the careers they employ, followed by a tour of the facilities.

Overall, more than 60 percent of the students who participated said that they would now consider a career in manufacturing after their experience at Bristol-Myers Squib. 

Previous Manufacturing Careers Day were held at Seneca, Lockheed Martin, INFICON, and Welch Allyn.

“For over 20 years, Partners for Education & Business has worked with our community leaders, businesses, educators, and students to constantly improve the ways we can reach students and educate them on the many careers and opportunities available to them,” Joe Vargo, executive director of PEB, said. “Our Manufacturing Careers Day and Program is just one fine example of the many successful programs we can and will continue to support that brings all of these people together to achieve success for our students, our businesses, and our region.”       

Partners for Education & Business says it conducts Careers Day in several industry sectors to bring together businesses and middle school, high school, and community college students. This article is drawn and edited from a news release PEB submitted.