Manufacturing is critical to America’s economy, comprising 12 percent of GDP. Since 2010, the sector has added 900,000 jobs and in the past five years, manufacturers have experienced the sector’s first sustained job growth since the 1990s. Yet for far too many young students and their parents, manufacturing seems like an outdated career that offers little promise of upward mobility. As the federal agency that serves as the architect for America’s manufacturing policy, we at the Department of Commerce know that in the 21st century, a career in manufacturing is nothing like the jobs held by previous generations. Manufacturing Day is a national event held on the first Friday of every October. In 2015, more than 2,000 manufacturers nationwide opened their doors to teachers, parents, and students to demonstrate the potential of 21st century manufacturing, tout the transformation of manufacturing into an industry of innovation, and foster interest in the rewarding careers available in this growing sector. For more information, please visit www.mfgday.com.