East County Celebrates Manufacturing Virtually

East County Celebrates Manufacturing Virtually

San Diego's largest manufacturing expo set for Oct. 1

The 5th Annual Manufacturing Expo highlighting job opportunities in East County’s manufacturing sector will be held virtually this year from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. 

The free event hosted by the East County Economic Development Council is open to the public and will feature manufacturing demos, resume-building workshops, education and business panels, and job and networking opportunities. 

The title sponsor, SDG&E, is joined by co-sponsors Employment Training Panel, Public Consulting Group (PCG), Grossmont College, Cuyamaca College, MiraCosta College, Southland Envelope, Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc., and California ‘s Manufacturing Network. 

The event is part of National Manufacturing Day, intended to showcase today’s industry and to inspire the next generation of manufacturing-sector workers. 

In these challenging times, the manufacturing sector is proving to be even more vital to the economy as workers make the test kits, personal protective equipment and everyday items needed to subsist amid the current pandemic. 

“They are developing medicines and vaccines and the equipment needed to test and study treatments.,” said Carolyn Lee of the Manufacturing Institute “Throughout our nation’s response effort—and during MFG Day in particular— the national Association of Manufacturers and the East County EDC hope that more young people will see how creators respond when our country needs them most and choose to join in this effort by pursuing a career in modern manufacturing.” 

In San Diego’s East County, manufacturers produce everything from jams to jet parts, and the Expo seeks to highlight industry members thriving and growing in our own backyards. Manufacturers participating as Exhibitors include Taylor Guitars, GKN Aerospace, Fox Factory (shock absorbers), Deering Banjo Company, Jackie’s Jams, Quality Controlled Manufacturing, Inc. (QCMI), RCP Block & Brick, Pacific Island Beer, Computer Integrated Machining, Rise Up Industries, and many others. Participants will be able to view videos, download information, see if manufacturers are hiring, and post questions. 

Program highlights in the Presentation Hall include virtual tours of Taylor Guitars and Jackie’s Jams as well as an Employer Panel with Taylor, QMCI, and Fox Factory. In the Education Hall, resources providers with information booths will include Grossmont College, Cuyamaca College, Public Consulting Group, CMTC, Junior Achievement, and Veteran Employment Committee. A Job Search Strategies panel will address Job Search Tips, Resume Building, Networking/Branding approaches. 

Student engagement includes a scavenger hunt where participants located artifacts of the Expo – white boards, videos, presentations – that, when completed, will be entered into a drawing to win a drone Courtesy of Grossmont College. According to the ZipRecruiter, the average pay for advanced manufacturing jobs in San Diego is $77,938 a year. Most of these jobs pay between $48,000 to nearly $96,000. 

This year’s Manufacturing Expo gives East County manufacturers an opportunity to virtually open their doors to the public and showcase the promise of modern manufacturing, organizers say. In past years, the event has drawn hundreds of attendees from the general public, including jobseekers, and students. 

“The East County Economic Development Council has worked hard to put together the 2020 Manufacturing Expo despite the challenges posed by the pandemic,” said Christy Ihrig, SDG&E’s Vice President of Operations Support, who oversees Supply Management. “The Expo shines a spotlight on the vital manufacturing sector’s job opportunities and growth possibilities for local residents and businesses who may be facing economic hardships. We are truly proud to be a part of it.”

To sign up or for more information, go to www.mfgexpo2020.Eventbrite.com.