Manufacturing Institute Launches Innovative Student Engagement Tool to Help Fill 3.8 Million Manufacturing Jobs by 2033
Washington, D.C.–This week, the Manufacturing Institute, the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, unveiled an interactive STEM experience to increase early career awareness about the opportunities available in manufacturing and inspire the next generation of manufacturing employees. The gamified adventure—Innovators Quest—offers students in grades four through nine an immersive journey filled with real-world problem-solving, hands-on activities and exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing concepts.
Innovators Quest was made possible with a grant from American Honda Motor Co, Inc. and comes at a time when the United States has averaged about 500,000 open manufacturing jobs over the last 12 months and projections show 3.8 million will be open by 2033, when current fourth graders will be graduating high school.
The Manufacturing Institute launched Innovators Quest with leaders from Honda at Holt Crossing Intermediate School in Grove City, Ohio, where high school students from South-Western Career Academy’s Engineering and Robotics program supported sixth-grade students in the completion of the new program’s activities. The MI recently made Innovators Quest sponsorships available to employers of all sizes and sectors to share with students in their communities.
“Manufacturing in America is at a crossroads,” said Manufacturing Institute President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Manufacturers have momentum, creating good-paying, life-changing career opportunities. However, the industry’s future success—and America’s—depends on our ability to inspire and equip the next generation of manufacturing employees. Innovators Quest was developed based on proven approaches to empower manufacturing employers to engage students early and often. By sparking their interest in skills needed in modern manufacturing this student engagement tool illustrates the limitless possibilities of the many careers in our industry. The time to invest in our future workforce is now.”
Created by the Manufacturing Institute to help develop the expertise needed to build a capable workforce while changing the perception of careers in manufacturing, Innovators Quest will guide students to discover their strengths while introducing them to core manufacturing skills, including additive manufacturing, aerospace engineering, robotics, quality control and more. The program was built to be an accessible resource for manufacturers to connect with students in their communities through gamified learning and be adaptable to a variety of ages, groups and event types.
Participating students each take on the role of a specific innovator archetype and must work in teams to complete challenges centered around imagination, precision, machines and unity.
“Innovators Quest is an important initiative that will provide students with early knowledge about the variety of opportunities for a career in manufacturing and highlights the value of teamwork, collaboration, and communication in the production environment,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Technology continues to evolve our industry, which is requiring more people with diverse skills in manufacturing. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Manufacturing Institute to build that future workforce.”
This tool builds on the Manufacturing Institute and NAM’s previous “Creators Wanted” campaign to inspire and recruit the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow – made possible through strong support from American Honda Motor Co, Inc.
– 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