Report: American manufacturing may need 3.8 million new workers by 2033
A new report released by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute explores the workforce issues that face the manufacturing industry and offers insight into the investment and skills likely required to drive continued growth across the industry. The report, “Taking charge: Manufacturers support growth with active workforce strategies," was created by surveying over 200 U.S. manufacturers and interviewing senior executives from a variety of manufacturing companies across verticals. In addition, secondary data on labor supply and demand was analyzed and used to create the report.
Want to learn more about the business activities of the manufacturing industry? Check out IndustryWeek
IndustryWeek is the premier online source of news and information on manufacturing, leadership, continuous improvement, talent management and other issues critical to industry."
Here are a few key takeaways from the report:
- The manufacturing industry might need as many as 3.8 million new workers by 2033
- Up to 5 in 10, or 1.9 million, skilled jobs could go unfilled
- 47% of survey respondents said that flexible work arrangements are most important to retaining top talent
- 90% of manufactures are forming partnerships to improve their workforce pipeline. This includes reaching out to technical colleges (73%), industry associations (58%), universities (48%), state and regional economic development agencies (47%), and K-12 schools (44%).
In a recent quote, John Coykendall, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and vice chair, U.S. industrial products and construction leader, said, "The manufacturing industry is facing exponential opportunity, yet still should prioritize strategies that will address the skills and applicant gap, especially as the acceleration of digital skills-based jobs continues. Developing talent — both from within the existing employee base and those newly entering the workforce — is important to keeping up with the pace of continued innovation. Companies who invest in upskilling the workforce through training, technology and policies that meet employee expectations are well-positioned for future growth."
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
