What does a career in manufacturing look like today?
More than 475 Davie County seventh graders had the opportunity to find out for themselves during Manufacturing Day 2026, stepping out of their classrooms and into local businesses to see firsthand the technology, skills, and people behind products and services they encounter every day.
Along the way, students discovered something equally important: many of those career opportunities are available right here in Davie County.
Students from South Davie Middle School toured Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health Davie Medical Center, DEX Heavy Duty Parts, and PRO Refrigeration.
North Davie Middle School seventh graders visited Fuller Welding & Fabricators, Davidson-Davie Community College (DDCC), and Dunlop Tyres, while students from Ellis Middle School explored Gildan Yarns, Reeb, and SBA Home North Carolina.
Now in its 15th year nationally, Manufacturing Day introduces students to modern manufacturing and the wide variety of careers connected to it. Davie County has participated for eight years through a partnership among Davie CONNECT, Davie County Economic Development, Davie County Schools, and the local business community.
Connecting the Classroom to the Workplace
For Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie CONNECT, seventh grade is an ideal time to begin making those connections.
“Middle school students are the next generation workforce, and these tours expose them to career opportunities, show how their current and future curriculum ties to real-world careers, and ignite interest in their future,” McManamy said. “During the tours, businesses showcased the scope of jobs available at their facilities and discussed the requisite higher education or skills training needed.”
Throughout the day, local employers showed students how the subjects they study in school translate into skills used in the workplace. Math, science, technology, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication all took on new meaning when students could see them being used on a production floor or in a working facility.
The tours also offered a glimpse into just how much modern manufacturing has changed. Students saw sophisticated equipment and technology, learned about workplace safety, and discovered that it takes employees with many different skills and educational backgrounds to keep an operation running.
Students Discover Careers They Had Never Considered
The impact of the tours was perhaps best reflected in the students’ own words.
When asked whether they would recommend the Manufacturing Day experience to next year’s seventh graders, students overwhelmingly said yes. Their reasons ranged from simply enjoying the chance to get outside the classroom to discovering jobs they had never known existed.
“Yeah, because it shows them some job options when they get older.”
“Yes, because if they want to have a career in manufacturing, it can help them learn more about it.”
“Yes, I would because I thought it was important to see some of the careers you might be able to take when you’re older. Even if it’s not your ideal job, you can keep your options open, and that’s why I say yes.”
“Yes, because you get to go inside the building and they tell you how to make it.”
“Yes, because it is educational, and you could find a job that you like that you have never heard of before.”
“Yes, because you can learn a lot about how different things are built.”
“Yes! It’s really fun; you get to meet new people and learn a lot about manufacturing and how things that we use on a daily basis are made.”
“Yes, because they can learn a bunch of new things that they do. When I was there, I didn’t really know anything, and it’s a good experience for them.”
“Yes, because it was very educational, and I didn’t know a lot of the information they taught me.”
“It’s a really fun way to learn outside of the classroom and explore all kinds of new things.”
Those comments get to the heart of Manufacturing Day. Seventh graders don’t need to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. But seeing what is available can help them begin asking questions, recognizing their interests, and understanding why the skills they are learning now matter later.
Local Employers Open Their Doors
For participating businesses, Manufacturing Day is also an opportunity to introduce young people to an industry that may look very different from what they imagine when they hear the word “manufacturing.”
At Ashley Furniture’s Advance facility, students saw firsthand how technology, automation, craftsmanship, and people work together in a modern manufacturing environment.
“As one of Davie County’s largest employers, we believe it’s important to help students understand the opportunities that exist in modern manufacturing,” said Zachary Hooper, SHRM-CP, director of Human Resources – Operations at Ashley Furniture. “Manufacturing Day tours allow us to showcase the technology, talent, and teamwork that power Ashley’s Advance facility while encouraging students to consider careers that can provide long-term growth and success close to home. We are proud to partner with local schools to help inspire the next generation of makers, leaders, and innovators.”
Gildan Yarns also welcomed students inside its Davie County operation, giving them an opportunity to see the people, technology, and teamwork behind modern manufacturing.
“Manufacturing Day gives Gildan Yarns the opportunity to open our doors, spark curiosity, and show middle school students that manufacturing is more than machines—it’s innovation, teamwork, technology, and real career opportunities,” said Charlotte Brown. “By connecting students with our people and processes today, we hope to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and leaders in our community!”
At DEX Heavy Duty Parts, Manufacturing Day provided a chance to share not only what the company does, but what a career in manufacturing can offer.
“I have been with Volvo and Mack Truck Company for 17 years. I have been with the DEX Heavy Duty Parts division since 2015. I truly enjoy working for these companies, and the people and culture are wonderful. I participate in MFG Day as a company ambassador because it’s a wonderful place to work, and the benefits and wages are competitive,” said Stephen Lewis.
“MFG Day is an awesome way to let the children, our future, know that they can take advantage of working here, right here in their community, and prosper in manufacturing as a great way to make a living and reach life goals.”
Seeing a career is one piece of the puzzle. Understanding how to prepare for it is another.
That is where partners such as Davidson-Davie Community College help students connect what they saw during Manufacturing Day with the education and training that can help them get there.
“Manufacturing Day allows seventh-grade students to see what is possible for their future,” said Kevin Osborne. “They can explore careers, discover new interests, and begin thinking about the path they want to pursue. At Davidson-Davie, we’re excited to help students make those connections and see how education and training can prepare them for the many career possibilities right here in Davie County.”
That connection between schools, employers, and education and training partners is an important part of Davie CONNECT’s work. Rather than waiting until students are preparing to graduate, programs like Manufacturing Day begin exposing them to possibilities while they still have plenty of time to explore.
Building Davie County’s Future Workforce
Eight years into Davie County’s participation in Manufacturing Day, the enthusiasm of local employers, educators, and students continues to demonstrate the value of getting young people inside workplaces and allowing them to see careers for themselves.
McManamy expressed appreciation for the businesses and community partners that continue to make the experience possible.
“Aligning business needs with curriculum will ensure Davie County has a ready and able workforce to meet the challenges of businesses today and in the future.”
For the students, Manufacturing Day may be just one day away from their regular classroom. But an unexpected career, a piece of technology they had never seen before, or a conversation with someone who enjoys what they do could stick with them much longer.
And for Davie County, opening those doors today is one way to help build the workforce — and the opportunities — of tomorrow.