On October 3, the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) will join the Manufacturing Institute – the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers – to mark Manufacturing Day 2025, known nationwide as MFG Day. This annual celebration invites students, parents, educators and community leaders to step inside manufacturing facilities and experience firsthand the innovation, creativity and problem-solving that power modern manufacturing careers.
MFG Day kicks off on the first Friday of October each year, with events continuing throughout the month—and often beyond. Led by the Manufacturing Institute, MFG Day unites manufacturers of all sizes to tackle workforce challenges and highlight the industry’s innovation, stability and opportunity.
With hundreds of thousands of open manufacturing jobs nationwide, the need to connect communities with these career pathways has never been greater. More than just a single day, MFG Day fuels year-round efforts to engage students in an industry that employs nearly 13 million people and could face 1.9 million unfilled jobs by 2033 without strong workforce development.
Through open houses, facility tours, classroom presentations and community events, manufacturers nationwide are sparking curiosity and inspiring the workforce of the future.
“MFG Day is one of the most powerful opportunities we have to engage and inspire the next generation of manufacturers,” said Carolyn Lee, president and executive director of the Manufacturing Institute. “When students can step inside facilities, talk to real professionals and see the technologies and innovations that drive our economy forward, they can start to imagine themselves in this industry. By opening their doors, sharing their stories and investing their time, manufacturers across the U.S. are showing students what’s possible—and helping them envision bright, rewarding futures in manufacturing.”
President of ICPF, Caitlin Salaverria echoed the importance of this initiative, stating, “The corrugated packaging industry employs over 100,000 people at over 1,100 corrugated manufacturing and design facilities across the U.S. Few industries match the exciting challenges, diverse career paths and tremendous advancement potential that corrugated packaging offers. We are proud to be an official sponsor of MFG Day 2025 and encourage our industry partners to take part in this initiative to showcase the rewarding jobs and lifelong careers that can be found working in corrugated.”
Click here for an Action Partner Toolkit with ideas on how to participate in MFG Day 2025.
Click here for a Host Toolkit with information on how to host your own MFG Day 2025 event.
As an official sponsor of MFG Day 2025, ICPF, together with the MI, will help communities across the country see how manufacturing offers challenging, rewarding and high-tech careers that make a difference every day.
For more information about MFG Day, visit https://mfgday.com/.
Get Inspired with ICPF!
Not sure where to start? We can help! Begin brainstorming with ICPF’s most recent MFG Day celebration, an event co-hosted with Pacific Southwest Container in Modesto, CA. In 2024, ICPF and PSC hosted 36 students from Ceres High School’s Manufacturing, Production, and Green Technology (MPGT) Academy to tour the plant floor, meet with current corrugated packaging employees, and more. Watch the video, and reach out to ICPF if we can partner with you, connect with local schools, or document your event as you prepare to celebrate this October! If you’re unable to host an event on-site, consider using one of ICPF’s employer toolkits or customized activities to visit technical education classrooms in your area. Find more resources at www.careersincorrugated.com.