Students attended the 2017 Manufacturing Day under Lawrence Tech sponsorship at the Southfield location of Comau, an Italian builder of industrial automation equipment.
LTU photo / Matt Roush.

Lawrence Technological University is a gold sponsor of Oakland County’s observance of National Manufacturing Day, Friday, Oct. 5.

A record number of high school students and companies – 1,000 and 43, respectively – will take part in Manufacturing Day activities Friday. It’s the fourth year Oakland County has participated in the event, a celebration of modern manufacturing and an opportunity for high school students to get a first-hand look at what today’s manufacturing engineers, technicians, and other staff do every day.

The companies will open their doors to students, teachers, and counselors, highlighting technologies and careers in the new world of advanced manufacturing.

Oakland Schools Technical campuses in Clarkston, Pontiac, Royal Oak and Wixom are sending a total of 650 students on tours. In addition, 16 school districts are sending a combined 350 students on tours.

Lawrence Tech’s involvement in the event comes through the LTU Collaboratory, a unique business accelerator focused on assisting companies that produce physical products.

“We want to inspire students to pursue education and careers in manufacturing,” said Mark Brucki, executive director of corporate and community partnerships at LTU. “Through events like Manufacturing Day, high school students, parents, teachers and counselors learn that there are great jobs available in manufacturing. Today’s advanced manufacturing offers careers that are much more advanced and technical than the manufacturing jobs of the past.”

Manufacturing Day in Oakland County is organized by Oakland County Michigan Works!, the Oakland County Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs, Oakland Schools and Oakland Community College.

The event’s platinum sponsor is Magna International. Gold level sponsors include Automation Alley, Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering, Kelly Services, Lawrence Technological University, and Oakland Community College. NLB Corp. is a silver sponsor and Hirotec, MPD Welding, and Wenzel are bronze sponsors.