Discover Mfg | West Michigan | Discover Manufacturing Week

Inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

DISCOVER MANUFACTURING WEEK

Manufacturing Week in West Michigan is a pivotal initiative aimed at dispelling misconceptions about manufacturing. Local manufacturers open their doors to the community, offering tours of their facilities, hosting open houses, organizing block parties and more.

Discover Manufacturing Week stands out as West Michigan's premier event celebrating modern manufacturing!

INTRODUCE THE NEXT GENERATION TO MANUFACTURING

Join manufacturers across West Michigan as they introduce their communities (in person!) to modern manufacturing with facility tours, open houses, block parties and more.

Employer registration now closed.

Tours will take place from October 13 through November 25, 2025.

View the Employer Toolkit

97% of manufacturers saw value in the events they hosted.

“The majority of students were well-prepared and engaged- teachers/students came with questions and they participated in our activities.”

Jeff Cobb, Enterprise Tool and Die

GET YOUR STUDENTS INVOLVED IN A THRIVING INDUSTRY

Bring your students to visit local manufacturers and food processors for on-site facility tours, hands-on experiences, and open discussions with industry professionals.

Registration is open through October 10!

Click on your county for available tours:

Tours will take place October 13 through November 25.

View the Educator Toolkit

All surveyed educators said they were satisfied with their tour.

“Enterprise Tool and Die did an incredible job with our students. The various stations and continual movement kept them engaged. At each station, students participated in hands-on activities and saw real people at work. We even had a few students say they want to work there in the future and asked about next steps.”

Emily Herro, Grandville Middle School

96% of students felt manufacturers answered their questions.

“I learned about new jobs and how to potentially get them and the benefits of working for those companies.”

Student from Spring Lake High School

FAQs

What makes a great student tour? We are so glad you asked! We have multiple tools and resources to help you every step of the way. The place to start is our Discover Manufacturing Employer Toolkit We also have a best practices webinar hosted by experienced industry professionals and local educators that can help illuminate the important considerations to engage and captivate students.

How many students are typically in one tour? Educators want to fill a bus or at least bring a full class of students averaging between 30 and 50. Plan to divide students into small groups of10 or less and start your tours in multiple stages with different guides so everyone can hear, ask questions, and engage with their hosts.

How long should a tour last? The length of a tour varies based on the size of your facility, the activities planned, etc. Most tours average 1.5 hours to 3 hours (if a meal, snack, or intermission is planned). In some cases, a “block party” can be coordinated so that students are traveling to multiple neighboring manufacturing facilities in a day. Our dedicated team of volunteers can help you plan your tour or block party.

What is the best day for a tour? Mondays are traditionally the slowest day for any tour selection with Friday being the most popular. Tours where educators can fill at least half a day are also the most frequently requested. Educators want to fill a bus or at least bring a full class of students averaging between 30 and 50. Plan to divide students into small groups of10 or less and start your tours in multiple stages with different guides so everyone can hear, ask questions, and engage with their hosts.

Can I see a list of schools and businesses that have participated in my area? We are happy to share that information. Reach out to us using our contact form.

Can I get my questions answered before I register? We are always here to help answer any question and assist you every step of the way. Use our website contact form on the bottom of our home page and we will get back to you right away.

How do I register? Visit the registration button at the top of this page to register!

Who organizes Discover Manufacturing Week and how is it run? Discover Manufacturing Week was created in 2016 by Michigan Works!, The Right Place Manufacturer’s Council and a dedicated team of manufacturers, workforce development, economic development, and education volunteers. We organize a list of manufacturers and tour dates like a menu for educators to select and bring students to your facility for tours and activities. DMW is an employer-driven event. Employer champions, assisted by West Michigan Works! staff, drive employer participation and the creation of student activities and tours. Student participation is promoted and coordinated through regional intermediate school districts.

How much does Discover Manufacturing Week cost? Participation is free for schools. It is also free for all manufacturers to participate in and is self-supported by an employer’s staff time and items they choose to provide for students and educators. Manufacturers are traditionally very generous in providing meals, snacks, giveaways, and sometimes helping to offset bussing costs, but this is completely voluntary.

How is Discover Manufacturing Week funded? Discover Manufacturing Week is funded by West Michigan Works! and the generosity of The Manufacturer’s Council at The Right Place.

Inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

DISCOVER MANUFACTURING WEEK

INTRODUCE THE NEXT GENERATION TO MANUFACTURING

97% of manufacturers saw value in the events they hosted.

GET YOUR STUDENTS INVOLVED IN A THRIVING INDUSTRY

All surveyed educators said they were satisfied with their tour.

96% of students felt manufacturers answered their questions.

FAQs

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