Discover Manufacturing
Manufacturing is all about making things - cars, furniture, food products, tools, and more. It’s one of Michigan’s biggest industries and offers good-paying jobs in areas like robotics, welding, design and machine operation. Manufacturers in West Michigan are looking for the next generation to help build the future. Whether you like working with your hands or using technology to solve problems, there’s a place for you in manufacturing.
Events
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Kent Career Tech Center (KCTC) Open House
Kent Career Tech Center offers nearly 30 unique programs and career pathways for high school juniors and seniors to get hands-on experience while having opportunities to earn free high school, technical school and college credit. Each program prepares students for success in career and college, with many opportunities to earn professional certifications. Students of any age are welcome to attend, but enrollment is for 11th and 12th graders. The Tech Center’s Advanced Manufacturing space includes...
When
February 4, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Where
KCTC (both buildings) -
1655 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
1800 Leffingwell NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Tech Fest
This is a community technology festival designed to inspire and engage high school and college students, as well as community members. The event features self-paced, hands-on stations led by students and industry professionals covering various technological topics. Drop in at your convenience and plan to spend 45 minutes to and hour engaging with the exhibits.
No RSVP is required.
When
February 5, 2026 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM EST
Where
Montcalm Community College - 2800 College Dr, Sidney, MI, 48885
MEERA Open House - Allendale
Join us for a MEERA (Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All) Open House and explore the world of modern manufacturing. Experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays highlighting additive manufacturing, CNC machining, engineering, non-destructive testing (NDT), robotics, and welding. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or industry partner, this open house offers a behind-the-scenes look at innovative technologies and career pathways shaping the future of...
When
February 5, 2026 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
Where
Allendale Middle School - 7161 Pleasant View Ct, Allendale, MI 49401
Kent Career Tech Center (KCTC) Open House
Kent Career Tech Center offers nearly 30 unique programs and career pathways for high school juniors and seniors to get hands-on experience while having opportunities to earn free high school, technical school and college credit. Each program prepares students for success in career and college, with many opportunities to earn professional certifications. Students of any age are welcome to attend, but enrollment is for 11th and 12th graders. The Tech Center’s Advanced Manufacturing space includes...
When
February 5, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Where
KCTC (both buildings) -
1655 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
1800 Leffingwell NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Makerspace Open House
Come explore the world of creativity and innovation at the Makerspace Open House - where ideas come to life! ✨ Discover Where Grand Rapids Makes Things On the first Friday of every month (4–7 PM) , Grand River Makerspace opens its doors for a free, casual open house and tour night. Whether you’re curious about laser engraving, 3D printing, woodworking, textiles, or just love seeing how things are made — this is your chance to explore! What to Expect: Self-guided and guided tours throughout the e...
When
February 6, 2026 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Where
Grand River Makerspace - 25 N. Park St, Walker, MI 49544
MEERA Open House - Muskegon
Join us for a MEERA (Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All) Open House and explore the world of modern manufacturing. Experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays highlighting additive manufacturing, CNC machining, engineering, non-destructive testing (NDT), robotics, and welding. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or industry partner, this open house offers a behind-the-scenes look at innovative technologies and career pathways shaping the future of...
When
February 13, 2026 8:20 AM – 10:00 AM EST
Where
Charles Hackley Middle School - 180 E Laketon Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442
MEERA Open House - Caledonia
Join us for a MEERA (Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All) Open House and explore the world of modern manufacturing. Experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays highlighting additive manufacturing, CNC machining, engineering, non-destructive testing (NDT), robotics, and welding. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or industry partner, this open house offers a behind-the-scenes look at innovative technologies and career pathways shaping the future of...
When
February 25, 2026 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM EST
Where
Duncan Lake Middle School - 9758 Kraft Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
Pathways to Advanced Manufacturing
Join FutureTech Careers for our Career Conversations series featuring Vice President of Manufacturing at The Right Place, Peter Hungerford!
Peter will discuss:
The variety of careers in Advanced Manufacturing.
Tips for breaking into an Advanced Manufacturing career.
Peter's journey to becoming Vice President of Manufacturing at The Right Place.
When
March 11, 2026 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
Where
You may attend this event in person or via Zoom. In person at GRCC's ATC Auditorium. GRCC Applied Technology Center (ATC) Auditorium is located at 150 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
STEAM Night in East Grand Rapids
East Grand Public Schools will be hosting its first annual STEAM Night on March 18, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at East Grand Rapids High School. The event aims to showcase STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning across the district while engaging the broader community in exploring and supporting these fields. The event will feature: Student projects and exhibits from grades 6–12, highlighting innovative work both in and outside the classroom Interactive displays and...
When
March 18, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT
Where
East Grand Rapids High School - 2211 Lake Dr SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
*Enter front doors of the school.
HEROes in the Future Expo
Montcalm Community College is proud to partner with Ionia Middle School for the HEROes in the Future Expo — an exciting showcase designed to help students explore electives and discover important skills for their future success. This hands‑on event brings together local educators, community organizations, and workforce partners — including West Michigan Works!, the Ionia County Career Center, and the Ionia County Economic Alliance — to highlight opportunities that help students build confidence,...
When
March 19, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Where
Ionia Middle School: 438 Union St., Ionia, MI 48846
Career Fair
Trying to figure out what you were born to do? Let us help you Bring it Out! Muskegon Community College Career Fair: Connecting Students, Alumni, and Community Talent with Local Employers! Join us for an engaging event featuring dozens of regional employers representing healthcare, manufacturing, education, business, technology, public safety, skilled trades, and more. Whether you’re seeking full-time employment, part-time work, internships, or simply gathering information, this event is designe...
When
March 26, 2026 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT
Where
Muskegon Community College — 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442
(Gerber Lounge, Main Building)
MiCareerQuest 2026
MiCareerQuest offers West Michigan middle and high school students the opportunity to learn about careers in our region's high-demand industries through interactive experiences with local employers. MiCareerQuest provides an opportunity for employers to showcase their industries and for educational institutions to highlight degree and certificate programs to West Michigan's future workforce. Employers within six industries - advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, health sciences, ho...
When
May 20, 2026 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM EDT
Where
DeVos Place - 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
JA BizTown Summer Camp
The JA BizTown Summer Camp is available for rising 4th-7th grade students for the 26-27 academic school year and will be held July 13th-17th. Throughout the week, students will hear from guest speakers from the community, participate in hands on activities, and after learning about various money and business topics, will run their business in JA BizTown for the day!
When
July 13, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Where
Huizenga Family JA Free Enterprise Center
4090 Lake Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
JA Imagine STEM Summer Camp
The JA Imagine STEM Summer Camp is available for rising 6th-8th grade students for the 26-27 academic school year and will be held July 27th-31st. Each day campers will learn about careers and skills associated with different areas of STEM, hear from speakers within those fields, conduct experiments, and complete design thinking challenges related to the work students might find themselves doing in these careers!
When
July 27, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Where
Huizenga Family JA Free Enterprise Center
4090 Lake Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
