Factories host students to promote manufacturing jobs

Several members of the Schaumburg-based TMA Friday participated in National Manufacturing Day by opened up their factories to the next generation of workers. High school students visited Principal Manufacturing in Broadview, Prater Industries in Bolingbrook, Keats Manufacturing in Wheeling, and Termax Corp. in Lake Zurich.

National Manufacturing Day is intended to change perceptions of the manufacturing industry to encourage the next generation of workers to consider a career in manufacturing.

"Our members continue to engage the community to change the misperceptions of manufacturing," Steve Rauschenberger, president of TMA, said in a news release. "Connecting manufacturers and high school students, and informing students of the benefits of seeking a manufacturing career is exactly what today is all about."

The manufacturing industry needs 3.5 million workers in the next 10 years, he said, adding the jobs are cleaner and better paying than people believe. TMA has almost 1,000 members representing more than 30,000 employees.