The State of Workforce Training in Manufacturing

Overview

In 2019, the MI fielded a first-of-its-kind survey of human resources and operations leaders across the manufacturing industry to examine how manufacturers were employing innovative programs to train new workers and upskill their current workforce and to identify the trends and challenges being experienced across the industry. To renew the findings, the MI fielded a new survey from Jan. 22 to Feb. 6, 2026. The results of that survey provided a clearer understanding of just what manufacturers are doing to ensure that their workers have the skills needed to be successful at their jobs.

Manufacturers have long accepted the industry’s role as the source for solutions to the greatest challenges facing our country. When it comes to addressing the workforce crisis, manufacturers are taking the lead, as they so often do. Across the country, manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to build stronger pipelines to address not only the needs of their businesses but also the needs of their workers, which they are doing in a variety of ways. Additional and more detailed findings—including the types of training, upskilling and professional development programs and strategies—can be found in the report.

Download the Entire Report