Students at AerSale in Oct. 22, 2019 in Roswell. Courtesy/NM MEP
New Mexico MEP News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Young people don’t have to leave New Mexico or assume significant college loan debt to find good-paying, skilled jobs in cutting-edge industries.
New Mexico’s manufacturers want students and those new to the workforce to consider fulfilling and challenging careers in their critical industry, which contributes $4.62 billion to the state’s economy and employs 26,000 people.
Small businesses, for example, comprised 84 percent of all exporters in New Mexico in 2019. These exports of New Mexico-made goods increased almost 220 percent from 2010 to 2019, and post-pandemic growth continues.
To that end, dozens of businesses are participating in Manufacturing Day (aka Mfg Day) — a nationwide celebration that begins Oct. 7 and stretches through October in New Mexico.
Mfg Day NM events organized by New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP) include facility tours that demonstrate how modern manufacturing jobs are nothing like the monotonous, dead-end factory jobs of the last century. On these tours, students and the public can see how products are made or repurposed using advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and 3-D imaging.
“Manufacturing 4.0 relies increasingly on human skills like critical thinking, creativity, engineering, and design,” said Jennifer Sinsabaugh, CEO of New Mexico MEP. “Manufacturing Day gives students a glimpse into what it takes to create a product — everything from the artwork on the label to the high-tech machinery that’s involved.”
New Mexico has participated in the nationwide initiative since 2013, and inspiring young people has always been a central focus.
Each year, students from Technology Leadership High School split into small groups to tour high-tech manufacturing companies at Sandia Science & Technology Park where the school is located. This year’s tour, scheduled for Oct. 19, will include visits to MicroNet Solutions, SolAero by Rocket Lab, and several other high-tech companies.
Some events focus on parts of the state with unique needs. The theme for businesses along Highway 550, for example, is Cradle to Career. Among the many 550 Corridor events is a competition that asks students to suggest how they would solve specific manufacturing challenges presented by local startups and established businesses. Winning entries will be featured on Oct. 24 when participating businesses visit Naaba Ani Elementary School in Bloomfield.
Other elements of the 2022 event lineup include a virtual automation lab, live and virtual presentations and panel discussions. Black Mesa Winery in Velarde, Valencia Flour Mill near Belen, Old Wood in Las Vegas, and AKS Industries in Las Cruces are a few of the manufacturers opening their facilities for guided tours. Capping it all is the Advanced Manufacturing Summit on Oct. 25 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque.
Since New Mexico joined the national commemoration, more than 10,000 students have been introduced to manufacturing careers and over 850 students have toured manufacturing businesses that include commercial woodworking and lighting factories, food producers and breweries, and facilities that make windows, medical devices, solar parts, plastics and other products.
The growing list of events is found at https://newmexicomep.org/manufacturing-day/.
Employers are encouraged to email organizers at mfgday@newmexicomep.org to learn how they can participate in Mfg Day events.
New Mexico MEP is a public-private partnership that offers manufacturers training and expertise in efficient production and administrative practices that allow them to maximize their competitive edge.
