(NIST: Rockford, IL) -- To highlight the importance of manufacturing to the nation’s economy and draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill jobs available in manufacturing fields, a group of public and private organizations announced the launch of Manufacturing Day for Oct. 5, 2012.

The effort is sponsored by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Wisconsin MEP (WMEP), and Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC). The MEP is part of the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The sponsors invite additional associations and organizations supporting the manufacturing industry to join the program. Through open houses, public tours, career workshops, and other events held at participating facilities on Oct. 5, the sponsors hope to introduce as many people as possible to the important role played by manufacturing both in local communities and for the nation. The grassroots events will also introduce manufacturers to business improvement resources and services delivered through the MEP’s network of more than 400 affiliated centers across the country.

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