The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is taking an annual manufacturing career showcase tradition online this week amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factories in the state each October have opened their doors to students, but Manufacturing Day will be virtual this year instead, according to a Missouri Chamber news release.
The virtual event will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 2, presented by BKD, and will feature "detailed video tours inside factories across Missouri. Students can see how products are made in Missouri and learn about high-tech, good-paying manufacturing jobs that are available today," according to the chamber.
The event will be streamed live via Zoom and the chamber's Facebook page.
"Classes, students and members of the public are welcome to join at any time during the event and stay connected for as long as they like. The program will be broken into segments featuring a different manufacturer every 20 minutes," according to the chamber.
Students will be able to interact with manufacturing leaders and ask questions, including of Boeing, Emerson, Kawasaki, Koller Craft, Pfizer, Polytainers and Toyota.
Registration is free, and teachers are encouraged to participate with their classes. Students can also sign up individually and attend via Facebook Live, including students learning remotely.
More information and registration details are available at mochamber.com/mfgday.
"Even during the pandemic, we continue to see workforce shortages in our manufacturing sector," Missouri Chamber President and CEO Daniel Mehan said in the chamber's news release. "We need to do everything we can to make sure we give our young people the opportunity to be inspired to pursue a career in manufacturing."
The Missouri Chamber developed the virtual event in collaboration with the Manufacturing Institute, Missouri Enterprise and the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. The Missouri event is presented by BKD CPAs and Advisors, and statewide sponsors include Toyota, Walmart, Nike AIR Manufacturing Innovation, State Tech, Catalent, Chamber Benefit Plan, NTMA St. Louis Chapter, The Boeing Center for Supply Chain Innovation at Washington University, and Watlow.
Sponsors include BKD Manufacturing & Distribution Group and Emerson.