Heroes MAKE America Is Growing

Manufacturers employ more veterans than any other private industry, with roughly 980,000 veterans working in manufacturing in 2023. That is an encouraging number, yet there are still many more veterans who remain untapped by the manufacturing industry. And manufacturers need them: with 481,000 open jobs in the sector, companies have much to gain by exploring this promising talent pool.

That’s where the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative comes in. Since its launch in 2018, it has assisted more than 42,000 members of the military community who are looking for their next career. Now, Heroes is expanding its reach via collaborations with the U.S. Department of Labor and Walmart, which will further boost manufacturers’ access to this skilled and dedicated workforce.

Walmart.org: Heroes’ collaboration with Walmart.org began in 2022, when Walmart funded the development of a model that translates military-acquired skills into competencies that are recognized by employers in the manufacturing industry, enhancing veterans’ visibility to employers.

• The project built, tested and evaluated a platform that allows military-connected individuals to showcase their qualifications through verifiable digital badges.
• This approach helps civilian employers recognize the skills of service members and veterans, making it easier for these job seekers to transition into high-demand roles while enhancing workforce readiness.
• New funding from Walmart.org will further expand the translation of military skills, painting fuller pictures of job seekers’ abilities and exploring avenues to increase the usage and acceptance of digital skills and badging systems, both among users and employers.

DOL: In June, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that Heroes would become a partner of the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service’s Employment Navigator & Partnership Program, which provides transitioning service members and their spouses with personalized employment assistance.

• Through its partnership with ENPP, Heroes will extend its reach to 36 additional military installations worldwide, significantly expanding its role as a premier employment resource for the military community.

The MI says: “Our existing offerings coupled with added valuable collaborations with Walmart.org and DOL will help Heroes connect more manufacturers with military talent, supplying them with qualified, dedicated workers who will strengthen manufacturing in America for decades to come,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. 

Interested in learning more? Check out the HMA website, follow HMA on LinkedIn or send an email to [email protected].

More than 300 leaders and experts gathered in Minneapolis last week to discuss the industry’s talent challenges, from hiring to training and retaining. The Manufacturing Institute’s annual Workforce Summit convened manufacturers, partners from education and training groups, philanthropy leaders and representatives from community-based organizations to share insights and brainstorm solutions.

The backdrop: With more than 500,000 open jobs in the industry, manufacturing leaders are intent on solving the talent equation.

• MI Chief Program Officer Gardner Carrick provided context for attendees. “For the last 7+ years, manufacturers have told the MI that the single biggest challenge they face is finding the right people to employ,” he said. “It is the crisis right in front of us.”
• Carrick urged attendees to “act now, because the system needs help.” However, he also noted that this crisis will take time to fix, saying that manufacturers should “be patient, but be committed.”

Quick insights: The participants brought many new ideas and fresh perspectives to the gathering. Here are some of the highlights:

• Recruitment and hiring: NTT DATA led a session on artificial intelligence technologies that can help with talent attraction, while other sessions focused on changing Americans’ perceptions of the industry and demonstrating that manufacturing is a “cool” field to work in.
• Retention: Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed, highlighted the importance of culture as a retention tool, saying, “Culture is everything. Employees want to work for a place where they are respected.” In a separate session, Jill Wyant, president and CEO of Madison Air, shared why their cultural value of frontline obsession guides how they attract and retain their frontline employees.
• Training: One session focused on training frontline supervisors in methods that boost retention of frontline workers. Other sessions focused on using the FAME USA model (of combined accreditation and training) to cultivate talent for manufacturing facilities.
• Preparing the next generation: Ketchie Inc.’s Andy Silver spoke about the company’s Opportunity Knocks program, an unpaid internship program for high school students that offers real-world learning experience and mentorship. Programs like these can transform young people’s perceptions of the manufacturing industry and set them on rewarding career paths, as Silver noted.

Did you miss it? Don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get involved in the solutions being driven by the MI, the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate.

• Check out the MI’s Solutions Center, a new initiative that will provide manufacturers innovative resources and opportunities to access solutions and best practices on how to tackle the challenges of recruiting, training and retaining talent in today’s competitive landscape. Attendees got a first look, but now we’re sharing it with everyone.
• Get updates directly from the MI on the latest workforce insights and receive information about registering for next year’s Workforce Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, taking place Oct. 20–22, 2025.
• Want more labor data and insights? Sign up for the MI’s comprehensive Workforce in Focus newsletter to stay up to date on the latest workforce trends.

The last word: “The MI and manufacturers across the country are changing the narrative, raising awareness and finding new ways to get people in the door and retain them,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “As we face workforce shortages and retention challenges, events like the MI’s Workforce Summit are necessary to help the industry share important insights and ensure the readiness of the future manufacturing workforce.”

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Dominion Energy, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education affiliate of the NAM—celebrated Manufacturing Day, also known as MFG Day. MFG Day is a national grassroots movement that demonstrates the reality and future of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions nationwide to open their doors to students, parents, educators and community leaders, fostering an in-depth understanding of the rewarding and high-paying careers available in modern manufacturing.

MFG Day launches annually on the first Friday of October, with events throughout the month and beyond. As an initiative of the MI, MFG Day empowers manufacturers to come together and address their collective challenges and build excitement about manufacturing careers to help their communities and future generations thrive. With hundreds of thousands of jobs available in the manufacturing sector, the need to connect communities across the United States with these opportunities has never been greater.

“MFG Day aims to change the narrative and alter perceptions around modern manufacturing and the careers available today,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Too many people are unaware about the incredible opportunities for meaningful, well-paying careers in this innovative industry. That’s why we’re working year-round to engage the future of our workforce—America’s students and young people—to show them what’s available today in their own backyards.

William L. Murray, senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications for Dominion Energy, echoed the importance of this initiative, stating, “Dominion Energy is proud to work with the NAM and the MI to bring awareness of manufacturing jobs to the community and help build the workforce of tomorrow.”

“Every year, manufacturers from around the country help us celebrate MFG Day and plant the seed for the next generation of manufacturing teams,” said NAM President and CEO and MI Chairman of the Board Jay Timmons. “Manufacturing is a high-tech, clean, rewarding and life-changing place to build a future, and MFG Day is a chance to put our best foot forward.”

As MFG Day 2024 unfolds, Dominion Energy, alongside the MI and the NAM, is proud to showcase the dynamic and innovative nature of the manufacturing industry and to inspire the workforce of today and tomorrow.

For more information about MFG Day or to learn how you can get involved, please contact MI Director of Student Engagement Jen White at [email protected] or (740) 361-2701.

Media interested in interviews can email David O’Brien.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

-The MI-

The Manufacturing Institute builds a resilient manufacturing workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Through implementing groundbreaking programs, convening industry leaders and conducting innovative research, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions to address the toughest workforce issues. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

That’s another success for the books! Last week, manufacturers and their supporters nationwide celebrated MFG Day 2024, rolling out the red carpet for students, educators and jobseekers and showcasing modern manufacturing’s diverse career paths.

What’s going on: The Manufacturing Institute, the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate, was on the ground in Kansas for multiple plant tours and conversations.

Visiting Bradbury Group: On Thursday’s tour of the Bradbury Group’s plant in Moundridge, Kansas, about 400 students got a firsthand look at how roll-forming and coil-processing equipment is made.

• The company—whose CEO David Cox is an NAM board member—set up stations where attendees could learn about its many career tracks. In addition, local education and community training partners were on-site to showcase job-training initiatives.
• MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee participated in the events, touring Bradbury’s facility with approximately 70 students from Newton High School in Newton, Kansas.

Touring with Heroes: On Friday, Lee visited four McPherson, Kansas, manufacturing plants with participants from Heroes MAKE America, the MI initiative that makes connections between the military community and the manufacturing industry.

• The companies were piping-systems manufacturer Viega, insulation and commercial roofing maker Johns Manville, downstream equipment maker Plastics Extrusion Machinery LLC and sustainable construction materials manufacturer CertainTeed.
• At Viega on Friday, Lee spoke with local high school students viewing the facility at the same time as the HMA participants.

Focus on veterans: Friday’s events also featured a networking lunch for HMA participants, including transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses, with human resources representatives from McPherson manufacturers.

• The Bradbury Group—the parent company of four manufacturing businesses in addition to the Bradbury Company, which has participated in MFG Day for nine years—was represented at the lunch by one of its employees, a U.S. military veteran.

Made possible by: This year’s activities were made possibly by generous support from sponsors Union Pacific, Dominion Energy, Johnson & Johnson, Novonesis, UKG, the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc, Winnebago Industries, Alfa Laval (US), Intertek Alchemy, the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing and Seaway Bolt & Specials Corp.

Stay tuned: MFG Day events will continue across the U.S. throughout October and beyond. You can find the full list of registered events, and a handy map, here.

The last word: “MFG Day is the prime opportunity for manufacturers to demonstrate firsthand the vast career opportunities that exist in industry,” Lee said. “While students, parents and educators remain our primary focus, it’s also a great time to engage other career-seeking groups so that they, too, can see themselves in manufacturing.”

Washington, D.C. – On Oct. 4, Union Pacific Railroad, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education affiliate of the NAM—will celebrate Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), a national day focused on fostering an in-depth understanding of the rewarding and high-paying careers available in modern manufacturing.

MFG Day launches annually on the first Friday of October, with events throughout the month and beyond.

MFG Day, which is an initiative of the MI, brings manufacturers and others together to build excitement for manufacturing careers, while helping communities and future generations thrive. With hundreds of thousands of jobs available in the manufacturing sector, the need to connect communities and people across the United States with these opportunities has never been greater.

“National MFG Day puts the spotlight on modern manufacturing, allowing us to change the narrative and perception about the careers available today,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Too many people are unaware of the incredible opportunities for meaningful, well-paying careers in this innovative industry. This is only the beginning. That’s why we’re working year-round to engage the future of our workforce—America’s students and young people—to show them what’s available today in their own backyards.”

“Union Pacific is proud of our history supporting the manufacturing industry on numerous fronts, including shipping the goods and raw materials needed to manufacture products sold here in the U.S. and abroad,” said Union Pacific President Beth Whited. “We believe strongly in the spirit of MFG Day and its goal of inspiring a new generation of workers to consider a career in manufacturing, including fulfilling careers available in the freight rail industry.”

“Every year, manufacturers from around the country help us celebrate MFG Day and plant the seed for the next generation of manufacturing teams,” said NAM President and CEO and MI Chairman of the Board Jay Timmons. “Manufacturing is a high-tech, clean, rewarding and life-changing place to build a future, and MFG Day is a chance to put our best foot forward.”

As an official sponsor of MFG Day 2024, Union Pacific Railroad, alongside the MI and the NAM, is proud to showcase the dynamic and innovative nature of the manufacturing industry and to inspire the workforce of today and tomorrow.

For more information about MFG Day or to learn how you can get involved, please contact MI Director of Student Engagement Jen White at [email protected] or (202) 637-3158.

Media interested in interviews can email David O’Brien.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.87 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

-The MI-

The Manufacturing Institute builds a resilient manufacturing workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Through implementing groundbreaking programs, convening industry leaders and conducting innovative research, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions to address the toughest workforce issues. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Finding a civilian job after serving in the military can be daunting. For former Army cavalry scout Jose Gallegos, the task was even more complicated because his spouse, Aleksandra Balinska-Gallegos, also needed a new position. Through Heroes MAKE America—a Manufacturing Institute program that builds connections between the military community and the manufacturing industry—both Gallegos and Balinska-Gallegos found rewarding roles in Pennsylvania with food and industrial manufacturer Cargill.

The program: Heroes MAKE America provides integrated certification and career-readiness training in partnership with local community colleges to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military spouses for rewarding careers in the manufacturing and supply chain industries.

• “The program not only introduces you to the manufacturing world—it prepares you for everything that is around it,” said Balinska-Gallegos. “How to correctly write your resume, how to match a military background with civilian life, how to translate military vocabulary to civilian vocabulary. And from writing a resume to emailing with potential employers and preparing for interviews—it was a little bit of everything.”

The benefit: The program helped both spouses at the same time—a huge benefit for Gallegos, who was looking for opportunities in the civilian world, and for Balinska-Gallegos, who had arrived with Gallegos from Lithuania and was worried about navigating the U.S. job market.

• “I was a completely new fresh military spouse,” said Balinska-Gallegos. “When Jose told me that there was an opportunity not only for him to go to the manufacturing program, but to also take his spouse—I was over the moon.”

Working nearby: Although they work in different plants—Gallegos as an operations and management associate at a meat production plant, and Balinska-Gallegos as an administrative assistant at a plant producing chocolate—their mentors at Heroes MAKE America helped ensure that the couple would work at the same company and in the same location.

• “He’s at a meat plant, and he loves beef. I’m at a chocolate plant, and I love chocolate,” said Balinska-Gallegos. “It’s perfect.”

Finding success: Although Gallegos’ work in the Army was very different from his role at Cargill, his supervisors have already noticed his leadership skills. While the approximately 60 other associates recruited this year are all college graduates, it’s Gallegos who has been called to take on bigger tasks.

• “After my first month, they started giving me supervisor responsibilities,” said Gallegos. “I’m shadowing managers and superintendents so I can learn from them, so … I can be in different areas of the plant.”

The last word: “I would have been very scared to start working in the U.S. without this kind of background, and I’m not sure what [Jose] would have done after leaving the Army if he didn’t go through the Heroes MAKE America program,” said Balinska-Gallegos. “That course prepared us immensely for this new life.”

Learn more: Find out more about Heroes MAKE America and the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the NAM, here.

Photo: Jose Gallegos and Aleksandra Balinska-Gallegos with MI Director of Heroes Program Execution Rachelle Wolford (left). 

The NAM has a new chief economist.

Victoria Bloom, who was most recently the economist for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee minority staff, joined the NAM and its 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate, the Manufacturing Institute, this summer. She had worked on Capitol Hill since 2017.
 
Our view: “Manufacturing in the U.S. is a life-changing force for good, providing well-paying jobs and career opportunities and products that improve the quality of life for everyone,” NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said. “Victoria will help us tell this story with compelling data, which will demonstrate the real impact of policy decisions and illustrate the modern manufacturing resurgence.”

• Added MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee: “With the addition of Victoria to the MI team as the head of research, we look forward to expanding our portfolio of studies on the key workforce and competitiveness issues facing manufacturers.”

Legislative chops:  Bloom, who holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree from George Mason University, previously worked for Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) and Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), in addition to her work on the Senate Commerce Committee.

• As Senate Commerce Committee economist, she served as lead economic and budgetary adviser to Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) and the minority committee staff. 

Glad to be here:  “After years of working on Capitol Hill and lending my economic expertise to policy debates, I am excited to focus my efforts on the 13 million people who make things in America,” Bloom said.

Many people imagine that a job in manufacturing requires working on a shop floor to create products. Joseph Fields—a human resources professional at MGX Equipment Services—knows that isn’t the case.

“Working in MGX, there’s cranes and welding and engineering—but there’s also HR, and finance, and payroll, and employee health and safety,” said Fields. “There are lots of opportunities you can lean into.”

The background: Fields spent eight years as a yeoman in the U.S. Navy before he transitioned into a civilian role in 2000. Over the course of the next two decades, he worked in human resources at a variety of companies. However, he was laid off in October 2023 after a six-year stint when his employer downsized.

• A few days later, he attended a virtual career fair sponsored by Heroes MAKE America—a Manufacturing Institute program that builds connections between the military community and the manufacturing industry—and found his new role.

• “I wasn’t planning to go to the HMA career fair, because I had zero experience with manufacturing,” said Fields. “But I saw it on LinkedIn, and at the time, I hadn’t interviewed with anyone in six years. I figured this would be a good opportunity to talk about myself and get some feedback.”

The result: Fields didn’t just get feedback, he was offered a job with MGX, one of the manufacturers in attendance.

• “I met with lots of great companies, including a manager at MGX, and we had a great conversation,” said Fields. “She called me the next day and asked if I was interested in an HR position. They offered it to me the week after Thanksgiving.”
• “We are very thankful we found Joseph through Heroes Make America. He attended our virtual career fair and visited our breakout room. After listening to our presentation a few times, he still stayed in our room,” said MGX Director of HR Ashley Barkdoll. “I could tell he would be a great fit for our team after having a few conversations with him.”

The program: Heroes MAKE America provides integrated certification, career-readiness training and job-searching support in partnership with local technical and community colleges to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military spouses for rewarding careers in the manufacturing and supply chain industries.

• Heroes also offers virtual and on-site career fairs—like the one where Fields found his new position—for members of the broader military community.

The other side: Today, Fields is paying it forward by working with Heroes MAKE America to find veterans and others with military affiliations to interview with MGX. He’s especially grateful for the support that Heroes gives to graduates and other job seekers throughout the hiring process.

• “I like that Heroes MAKE America not only promotes organizations that focus on veteran hiring, but also that they do the follow-up to make sure people get hired,” said Fields.

Advice to veterans: Fields wants other veterans to know that manufacturing offers a broad range of opportunities, with something for everyone—and that Heroes MAKE America can help them find it.

• “It’s not about finding a manufacturing job; it’s about finding a job in a manufacturing company,” said Fields. “There are so many different kinds of roles and opportunities.”
• “If you’re unsure about finding a job in manufacturing, attending the virtual career fair is a great option to meet with companies to see what they have to offer, even if you think this industry isn’t something that you would normally consider,” added Barkdoll.

Advice to manufacturers: Fields encourages other employers to connect with the Heroes MAKE America program and see everything that a veteran brings to the table.

• “Some of us may not have hands-on experience for the position you’re trying to fill, but we’re trainable,” said Fields. “So ask yourself: Can I train up for this position?”

The last word: “Take a chance on a veteran,” said Fields. “You’ll get a great employee out of it.”

Washington, D.C. – The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, proudly announces the selection of Susan Elkington, senior vice president of electric vehicle supply at Toyota Motor North America, as the new chair of the Women MAKE Awards initiative. Elkington succeeds Denise Johnson, group president of resource industries at Caterpillar, who has led the initiative with distinction.

As the incoming chair, Elkington will guide the Women MAKE Awards program in its mission to celebrate and elevate the women who are shaping the future of manufacturing in an effort to have their example pave the way for the next generation to join the sector. Elkington, a previous Women MAKE Awards Honoree, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering women in the industry.

“Women are essential to the future of manufacturing, and it is an honor to lead the Women MAKE initiative at such a pivotal time,” said Elkington. “I know firsthand the impact this recognition can have in motivating and mentoring the next generation of female leaders. I am committed to continuing the work of highlighting the incredible contributions women are making across the industry and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.”

Under Elkington’s leadership, the Women MAKE Awards will continue to be an essential element in the MI’s 35×30 initiative, which aims to increase the percentage of women in manufacturing to 35% by 2030. This effort is vital to closing the gender gap in manufacturing, where women currently represent less than one-third of the workforce.

“With nearly 500,000 open jobs in manufacturing today, it’s essential that we bring more women into manufacturing roles, and the WMA has played a key role in engaging and uplifting women within the sector today to serve as the role models for the women of tomorrow. Through this initiative, we’ve done so much to change the perception of the industry to highlight the vast array of careers available and provide pathways and mentorships to drive future success,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee.

The MI is excited to welcome Elkington as the new chair of the Women MAKE Awards and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the program under her leadership.

– The Manufacturing Institute –

The Manufacturing Institute builds a resilient manufacturing workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Through implementing groundbreaking programs, convening industry leaders and conducting innovative research, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions to address the toughest workforce issues. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Nearly 100 veterans attended a manufacturing career fair at Fort Riley, Kansas, last week, including many who had prepared for their new careers via the Heroes MAKE America program (Kansas Biz News).

What’s going on: “The career fair and other events held by Heroes MAKE America and Manufacturing Institute [the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate] aim to grow the manufacturing industry’s workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing and offer programs, including informational sessions, career fairs, networking, career readiness, placement support and manufacturing tours.”

• More than 30 regional and national manufacturers had booths at the event.

How it helps: HMA—an MI program with a 90% graduate placement rate—offers career help to job seekers transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce. The aid is in the form of training and introductions to manufacturing leaders seeking employees.

• One military member who attended the fair said “she’s received help with resume writing, interviewing for jobs and how to translate military experience into tools you can use in the civilian world.”
• HMA, which hosts virtual career fairs throughout the year, also offers resources to employers. These include online training, courses and access to the research of the Society of Human Resource Management Foundation.

Why it’s important: The industry could create about 3.8 million new manufacturing jobs on net between this year and 2033, according to a new study by Deloitte and the MI.

• However, if the current manufacturing employee deficit is not shored up, approximately half of these jobs—or 1.9 million—could go unfilled.

What’s next: Interested employers can participate in an information session to be held later this month, where they can learn more about attracting, hiring and retaining military talent through upcoming career fairs and virtual hiring events.

The last word: “Members of the military community often possess valuable skills and qualities—such as discipline, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving abilities—that are in demand for manufacturing careers,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee.

• “That’s why manufacturers are increasingly connecting with this top talent through an array of resources provided by the MI’s Heroes MAKE America initiative.”