On October 1st, AJAC celebrated our 11th annual Manufacturing Day (MFG Day)—a nationwide initiative led by the Manufacturing Institute to showcase modern manufacturing careers to students across the country. This year, we partnered with Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center’s machining program, giving students an inside look at two of Snohomish County’s leading aerospace manufacturing companies: Onamac Industries and Electroimpact.
Both companies not only drive innovation in aerospace but also invest in their workforce by offering AJAC apprenticeships to their employees. For students, this was a rare opportunity to see firsthand how classroom skills connect to real-world career opportunities.
Opening Doors to Opportunity
For many students, manufacturing can feel like a mystery. Creed Tremaine-Nelson, AJAC’s Youth Apprenticeship Manager, explained why exposure is so critical:
“It’s so important to expose students to Manufacturing Day because so many people don’t know what goes on inside these big warehouses. When students can see mills, lathes, and even parts as large as 40 feet being produced, they realize manufacturing is a career pathway they can actually go into.”
A Strong Partnership with Industry
Onamac Industries’ HR Generalist, Tricia McCarthy, emphasized the importance of connecting students with local employers:
“It is important to open our doors to the next generation because they’re going to be our next new hires. Our partnership with AJAC is critically important. AJAC provides foundational skills for young adults entering the industry, so they’re safe and ready to run machines.”
She hopes that the students who toured Onamac and Electroimpact walked away inspired by the “endless possibilities” within manufacturing.
Building the Workforce of the Future
Manufacturing Day is more than a single day of tours—it’s about building momentum for the next generation of makers, problem-solvers, and innovators. Amid record job openings in manufacturing, AJAC’s partnerships with companies like Onamac and Electroimpact ensure that students don’t just see the future of manufacturing—they’re prepared to step into it.
As Creed summed up:
“So often we see what building trades look like, but people rarely see what goes on in manufacturing. By opening these doors, we enable students to understand how products are made and see this as a real career pathway.”
About MFG Day
MFG Day, organized nationally by the Manufacturing Institute, is manufacturing’s largest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation, shift perceptions about the industry, and address the workforce challenges ahead. Together, manufacturers and educators can help future generations thrive by showing them the exciting, high-tech, and rewarding careers available in manufacturing.
