Friday (Oct. 2) was “Manufacturing Day” – an annual event to get middle and high school students excited about manufacturing careers. But due to the pandemic, workforce agencies are adapting to reach students virtually.

In past years, Manufacturing Day marked the start of a month where Indiana companies partnered with schools to give factory tours and career information to students. It’s meant to get kids interested in joining the manufacturing workforce. Since the pandemic has many school districts operating virtually this year, workforce groups are producing videos and holding virtual panel discussions instead.

Kate Lee is the executive director of education and workforce at the South Bend Regional Chamber. Along with the local LIFT Network, they created online resources and curriculum for teachers to use.

She said shifting their programming online this year has upsides. One big one is that teachers can use the content year-round.

“The teachers can use it in October or December,” she said. “And now we have a model for other sectors, so what if we want to do this for construction trades or health care? I think there’s huge potential.”

Indiana’s Manufacturing Day events began on Tuesday with a webinar discussion between educators and employers around the state.