MBN on the Road | CAMC: Michigan’s Largest Manufacturing Day 2026 | LCC West Campus Press Conference

Thursday, October 1st, MBN was on the Road for Michigan's Largest MFG Day - Press Conference at LCC West Campus. The Capital Area Manufacturing Council kicked off Manufacturing Day 2026 with a press conference at Lansing Community College West Campus on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The event launched a week of student tours and hands-on experiences designed to showcase today’s manufacturing careers. This video of the press conference includes LCC President Steve Robinson, CAMC Executive Director Cindy Kangas, and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. Watch the video for additional lineup. “We want students to see a future they can be part of,” said CAMC Executive Director Cindy Kangas. “You can’t be what you can’t see, and MFG Day helps bring that future into focus. Students will get to walk the shop floor, see robots and advanced technology in action, watch products being made, and try hands-on activities. They’ll meet the people behind the work—from engineers and welders to quality experts and automation technicians—and learn about career pathways they may not have even known existed. That’s what makes this so exciting: today’s manufacturing is innovative, high-tech, creative, and full of opportunity.” For many, manufacturing carries an outdated image of being dirty, dark, dingy, and dangerous. Step inside a modern manufacturing facility, and that picture changes quickly. Today’s manufacturers are powered by robotics, automation, engineering, data, and advanced technology, with opportunities that go far beyond the shop floor. Manufacturing needs people with skills in everything from engineering and automation to marketing, accounting, biology, and supply chain management. “We drive past these facilities every day, often unaware of the incredible work and economic activity happening inside,” said Kangas. “Michigan manufacturers are creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. We want students to see that for themselves—and recognize that there may be a place for their talents in manufacturing.” “Manufacturing Day opens students’ eyes to the wide range of opportunities available in today’s advanced manufacturing industry,” said Shon’ta Dwyer, Dean of Technical Careers at Lansing Community College. “By visiting LCC’s West Campus, students gain hands-on exposure to innovative technology, connect with industry professionals, and discover career paths they may not have considered before. We are proud to help students turn their interests into rewarding careers while developing the talented workforce Michigan manufacturers need to succeed.” Maya Taylor, LCC Student, said, “I’ve always liked figuring out how things work, so robotics and automation just made sense to me. What surprised me is how much goes into modern manufacturing and how many different careers are connected to it. I’m learning skills here that I can see myself using in a career.” Michigan’s manufacturing future depends on people—and there are thousands of opportunities waiting for the next generation. Michigan is projected to have nearly 518,300 professional-trades jobs through 2032, with approximately 40,600 job openings expected each year. In the Lansing-East Lansing region alone, manufacturing employs about 20,000 people, from skilled trades and technicians to engineers, designers, and business professionals. Following the press conference, guests will have the opportunity to see that future up close with tours of LCC West Campus, technology demonstrations, and hands-on activities. We invite members of the press, educators, community leaders, manufacturers, and anyone who wants to learn more about the people and technology shaping Michigan’s manufacturing future to join us. When Thu Oct 1, 2026 9am – 10am Eastern Time - Detroit Where Lansing Community College West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Dr, Lansing, MI 48917, USA.