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The NAM kept up a breakneck pace on the third day of its 2025 Competing to Win Tour, with the Manufacturing Institute delivering the first-ever State of the Manufacturing Workforce Address at Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, before an audience of students, faculty, manufacturers and local and state officials.
 
Opportunity—for all: Taking the stage to give the MI’s assessment of the manufacturing worker base in 2025, Carolyn Lee, president of the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate, homed in on the theme of opportunity.

• “Manufacturing is not just about innovation and economic growth; it’s about opportunity. It’s about ensuring that every community, every aspiring maker, builder and creator—no matter their background—can have access to the skills, training and careers that will define the future.”
• But because the industry stands at a crossroads, part of that opportunity today is to help manufacturing maintain its momentum, Lee said, echoing a theme of NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons’ 2025 State of Manufacturing Address on Tuesday.

Finest hours ahead: Lee was joined at the event by Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL), who spoke about the strength of Alabama’s manufacturing sector.

• “I think we’ve proven here in Alabama, and North Alabama especially, advanced manufacturing is part of our DNA,” he said. “You look at the jobs that we’ve brought in the last 10 or 15 years. You start with GE Aviation, Polaris, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mazda Toyota. We’ve proven that the Alabama workforce has the ability. I think our finest hours are still ahead.”

A world-changing job: Timmons echoed that sentiment. “You’re stepping into one of the most important and innovative fields in the world,” he told the Drake State students.

• “The products, the materials, the technologies that you will help create, they won’t just be used in your hometown or even all across our country. They’re going to help change economies … They’re going to strengthen the very foundation of America’s security and prosperity.”

A shortfall: But manufacturing today faces an immense challenge, Lee told the crowd: “a structural workforce deficit.”

• “[I]f we don’t act boldly, the U.S. faces a shortfall of 1.9 million manufacturing workers by 2033; 3.8 million positions will open up, but nearly half could go unfilled. That’s not just a workforce issue—it’s an economic and national security issue.”
• That’s despite the average annual earnings—including pay and benefits—for a manufacturing employee coming in at more than $102,000.
• The dearth of workers in the sector is driven by both retirements and growth.

How to overcome it: “[W]e have to inspire more Americans to see themselves in manufacturing,” Lee said. “That starts early, with programs that spark curiosity and excitement for careers in our industry. And when I say early, I mean as young as 9 or 10 years old—because today’s 4th graders will graduate in 2033 and may be our future team members.”

• To this end, the MI partners each year with manufacturers on MFG Day, which kicks off a full month of events at which companies show young people, students and job seekers what a modern manufacturing career looks like.
• The MI, with the support of Honda, has also created a new interactive experience to interest youngsters in the industry: “Innovators Quest,” which combines elements of board games and popular fantasy and storytelling activities.

The FAME factor: Under the MI’s auspices, the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education USA, a workforce program started by Toyota in 2010 and entrusted to the MI in 2019, has grown considerably. (Drake State is home to one of the public–private partnership’s newest chapters.)

• FAME participants attend classes and earn while they learn in hands-on apprenticeships with manufacturers.
• The program—in which a participant can easily earn more than $30,000 over two years—has become “the gold standard for how employers, educators and communities should work together” on manufacturing workforce training, Lee said.

Other efforts: The MI helps manufacturers actively recruit groups often overlooked in manufacturing hiring initiatives: veterans, women and previously incarcerated individuals.

• The Heroes MAKE America program helps connect former members of the military with manufacturing jobs. Walmart provides crucial funding to the program; in 2022, it gave a six-figure grant to fund the development of a model that translates skills acquired in the military to ones recognized by manufacturing employers.
• The Women MAKE America Initiative is the nation’s premier program aimed at closing the gender gap in the sector.
• “The MI is helping manufacturers develop second chance hiring strategies, recognizing that talent is talent—and potential shouldn’t be wasted,” Lee said to the audience.

Working together: “As we look ahead, manufacturers, educators and policymakers must work together to strengthen our talent pipeline,” Lee and Drake State Community and Technical College President Dr. Patricia G. Simms wrote in a Thursday op-ed for the Alabama Political Reporter. 
 
Manufacturing in Alabama: On Thursday afternoon, the NAM and MI contingent continued its manufacturing-facility tour, visiting Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Bruderer Machinery—both in Huntsville—and Milo’s Tea Company in Bessemer.

• “I plan on making my career here,” said Drew, a 2024 FAME graduate, during a discussion before a tour of the shop floor. Drew is now working as a maintenance team member at Toyota Alabama. The talk focused on how the FAME program prepared participants for a rewarding career in auto manufacturing. Toyota Alabama—2,400-plus team members strong—has created 10,000 jobs in the state.
• Lee visited Bruderer Machinery, a leading manufacturer of high-precision stamping presses that provides solutions for the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries. Bruderer is also a key supporter of the FAME apprenticeship model.
• Timmons and the rest of the NAM team finished the day at Milo’s Tea, the fastest-growing tea company in America. The family-owned business, founded by CEO Tricia Wallwork’s grandparents Milo and Bea Carlton, has won 40% of the refrigerated iced tea market share in the U.S. “This reminded me of my grandmother’s iced tea,” said Timmons. “You could see how special Milo’s is by just walking the shop floor and seeing the smiles and camaraderie.”   

FAME USA is revitalizing the manufacturing workforce with its global-best model of on-the-job training combined with classroom education. 

Created in 2010 by Toyota, the program was entrusted to the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM’s workforce development and education affiliate, in 2019. Since then, it has grown enormously, almost doubling in size under the MI’s stewardship.   

The past five years: FAME has scaled to more than 45 chapters across 16 states since the MI took over stewardship of the initiative—up from 20 chapters in 9 states. Employer support has grown, too, from 220 manufacturers to nearly 500 today.

• As a result of this growth, FAME boasts more than 1,300 enrolled students, 2,200 graduates and an impressive 90% employment rate upon graduation.
• And there’s much more coming soon: FAME plans to add eight more chapters by the beginning of the 2026 school year.  

Working with manufacturers: FAME offers two options for manufacturers looking for skilled workers.

• They can join an existing FAME chapter and benefit from the established employer collaborative. Or in locations where FAME doesn’t already have a presence or where the companies are building new facilities or undertaking large expansions, they can initiate a new FAME chapter to meet their greater need for talent.

General Mills: The food manufacturer was searching for more skilled workers for its Hannibal, Missouri, facility when it learned of FAME. In 2024, General Mills joined the Great River chapter in Illinois, which crosses state lines into Missouri, and committed to sponsoring five students.

• “We want the best talent at our manufacturing facilities, and we know that there’s tremendous talent in our communities. Partnering with FAME allows us to harness the talent in our local communities and get candidates excited about building a career with General Mills,” said Becky Crane, vice president, manufacturing & engineering at General Mills, during a recent panel discussion highlighting FAME.

Novelis: The leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminum first partnered with FAME in 2015 through joint venture Logan Aluminum in Kentucky, as part of the SKY FAME chapter.

• “FAME provides an excellent forum for manufacturing companies in the same region to work together on providing the necessary exposure and skills to our future workforce,” said Dev Ahuja, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Novelis.
• Approximately 40 employees at Novelis are FAME graduates, and the company expects this number to grow as it expands participation across states.
• Novelis has also found success with FAME during greenfield projects. The Novelis plant in Guthrie, Kentucky, began partnering with the HOPFAME chapter in 2018 during construction of its new facility, and the company is now a founding employer of the FAME chapter in Bay Minette, Alabama, where it is constructing an aluminum plant that will create up to 1,000 jobs.

The bottom line: “FAME is not just a training program; it’s a transformative solution for employers looking to cultivate a skilled workforce that meets their specific needs. By engaging with FAME, companies can tap into local talent, foster economic growth and build a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee.

• “We encourage employers to join this collaborative effort—together, we can empower our communities and ensure the future of manufacturing is in America.”

Get involved: Learn more here about FAME and how you can tap into this global-best training resource. And don’t forget to follow FAME USA on LinkedIn.

For more than a century, Johnson & Johnson has been a steadfast supporter of military service members. Today, one of the ways Johnson & Johnson fulfills this mission is by partnering with the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative, which connects members of the military community with rewarding careers in manufacturing.

Both Johnson & Johnson and HMA firmly believe that military experience is invaluable for manufacturing careers. Veterans often have advanced problem-solving abilities, leadership skills and a strong work ethic—qualities that are essential in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of manufacturing.

The partnership: Since 2021, Johnson & Johnson has been the official health care sponsor of HMA. With their support, the initiative has continued to expand in-person and virtual training programs and helped more service members transition into rewarding manufacturing careers.

• Johnson & Johnson is a frequent host of facility tours for HMA students, as well as an active participant in Heroes Connect. These events provide military members with valuable insights into the manufacturing sector and allow them to connect with potential employers.
• The company also hires HMA graduates itself, employing three so far at its facilities.

Bringing careers into focus: On Nov. 15, Johnson & Johnson hosted 22 HMA participants from Fort Stewart in Georgia at its Vision Care site in Jacksonville, Florida.

• Johnson & Johnson Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer and NAM Board Chair Kathy Wengel, MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee and NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons also joined the tour. (The MI is the workforce development and education affiliate of the NAM.)
• Wengel, Lee and Timmons participated in group discussions with HMA participants and held a fireside chat where they discussed their careers in manufacturing and Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to military hiring. They also gave advice to the HMA participants about working in the industry.
• “Veterans embody resilience, adaptability and dedication—qualities that are at the heart of manufacturing excellence,” said Wengel. “At Johnson & Johnson, we’re honored to work alongside Heroes MAKE America to support veterans in their transition to civilian careers, providing them with opportunities to build rewarding futures in manufacturing.”

From the MI: “Johnson & Johnson’s partnership has been crucial to our efforts to connect the military community with meaningful career opportunities in manufacturing,” said Lee. “They are an example of what it means to invest in veterans and support their transition into civilian careers.”

Get involved: To learn more about HMA and its incredible pool of talent, attend a virtual information session or email [email protected].

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.