Workforce News

In an ever-changing world, collaboration is more necessary than ever for solving the challenges facing our manufacturing workforce. Last week, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Manufacturing Institute’s annual Workforce Summit united more than 300 industry leaders to do just that, tackling workforce challenges while redefining what manufacturing represents for tomorrow.

The backdrop: MI Chief Program Officer Gardner Carrick opened the summit by highlighting a shift in public perception. Americans view manufacturing more positively now, and attitudes toward education and career pathways are evolving. As confidence in the value of a traditional four-year degree declines, new opportunities are emerging for skills-based careers in modern manufacturing.

• But, Carrick noted, the industry must stay on the offensive. “The next generation of workers doesn’t need convincing that technology is exciting; they live it,” he said.
• “The story isn’t that we’ve changed; it’s that we’re leading,” Carrick concluded. “And that’s what will inspire the next generation.”

Quick insight: Participants at the summit, who came from dozens of manufacturing sectors and many nonprofit and partner organizations, discussed practical, transformative solutions in every session. Here are some of the big takeaways:

• Rethink education: ABB’s Jason Green emphasized the need to get technology into the hands of students early and to reimagine career and technical education, including real-world learning and applications. Apprenticeships built on company needs can help create talent pipelines that are both practical and custom-fit.
• Invest in culture: Lisa Winton of Winton Machine explained why she views culture as a competitive advantage, especially for small manufacturers. Her team leverages local training resources and encourages multigenerational learning, where mentorship flows both ways.
• Design for flexibility: Amatrol’s Paul Perkins urged companies to mold jobs around people, not the other way around. By creating fluid career paths and removing unnecessary barriers, manufacturers can use mobility itself as an attraction strategy.
• Focus on skills: Walmart.org’s Sean Murphy and the MI’s Sytease Geib highlighted skills-based strategies that strengthen pipelines, accelerate and validate learning, enhance retention and unlock meaningful career growth.
• Empowering the frontline: Jerry Dolinsky, CEO of Dozuki, and Dr. Rebecca Powers Teeters of 3M highlighted how AI-driven digital tools can help frontline workers. Connected workers can bridge skills gaps, boost engagement and drive productivity, while practical AI applications create smarter workflows, enhance safety and foster continuous learning and innovation.

Parting words: “The momentum, the environment, the atmosphere surrounding what we do will continue to evolve, and we know that we can solve our problems if the industry is tackling them together,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “The MI will continue to be here to support you.”

Couldn’t make it this time? The MI, the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate, works year-round to help companies strengthen their workforce and deliver innovative solutions to workforce challenges. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Sign up for updates to the MI’s Solutions Center for resources, best practices and opportunities to learn from peers through the Solutions Series. Explore our regularly scheduled virtual convenings as part of the Solutions Series to see how manufacturers across the country are addressing workforce challenges.
• Get updates directly from the MI on the latest workforce insights and be among the first to receive information about upcoming events and to register for next year’s Workforce Summit, taking place in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• 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.