Workforce in Focus

Registered Manufacturing Apprenticeships are growing as Americans Deprioritize 4-year College Degrees

By MI NewsroomOctober 17, 2024
High school students discussing manufacturing careers in a classroom with American flag.
Students engaging in manufacturing training with instructor and equipment.

The MI and Deloitte’s report, Taking charge: Manufacturers Support Growth with Active Workforce Strategies, found that the manufacturing industry will need to fill 3.8 million jobs by 2033, and 1.9 million jobs could remain unfilled if manufacturers are not able to address the skills and applicant gaps.

With over 500,000 open jobs in manufacturing with an average pay of $34.42 per hour, a career in the manufacturing industry is increasingly becoming an attractive alternative to traditional four-year college programs and student loans with career opportunities across the country.

What’s going on

  • According to Pew research, American’s are deprioritizing 4-year college degrees. Only one-in-four U.S. adults say it’s extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job in today’s economy.

  • Roughly half (49%) say it’s less important to have a four-year college degree today in order to get a well-paying job than it was 20 years ago

  • Only 22% say the cost of getting a four-year college degree today is worth it even if someone has to take out loans.

  • A Harris Poll on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma found that 78% of Americans say they’ve noticed a recent growing interest from young adults, particularly Gen Z, to pursue trade careers.

Why it matters

  • ApprenticeshipUSA data shows that growth in manufacturing apprentices has steadily increased, with a 58.66% increase since 2014.

  • Note this data should be viewed as a proxy as it only reflects apprenticeships registered with the Department of Labor, there are many apprenticeship style programs in the manufacturing industry that aren’t Registered Apprenticeships.

What we’re doing

  • MI research with Deloitte shows perceptions about manufacturing jobs have improved since 2017 and parents are more likely to encourage the next generation to pursue a manufacturing career.

  • FAME USA has been hard at work sculpting a new generation of best-in-class technicians for advanced manufacturing environments through an earn-while-you-learn program.

  • The MI took over management of FAME from Toyota in 2019 and has scaled the program, operating through more than 40 chapters across 16 states with more than 425 companies, graduating more than 2,100 students.

  • FAME is continuing to expand next year and into 2026 with several chapters in academy (started and enrolling students soon) and in development now, including the first chapter in California.

  • In Academy: Huntsville, AL, Decatur, IL, Bay Minnette/Baldwin County, AL, Birmingham, AL; and Fresno, CA.

  • In Development: Topeka, KS; Grand Rapids, MI; and Davenport, IA.

Learn More:

  • Now is the time to engage in these ongoing efforts and to support the development of a wholly new chapter in your region. Join us at one of our virtual information sessions and check us out to see how you can get connected with FAME.