Skill up: Training workers on biotech, semiconductor manufacturing, drones and more

Manufacturing would be nothing without the people in offices and on plant floors to manage supplies, run assembly lines, build things, observe quality and, in short, do the work. Yet, qualified manufacturing workers are perennially in short supply. This digest covers recent initiatives, public-private partnerships, and educational efforts to train and source the next generation of manufacturing workers.

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute has received a $5.2 million grant from the state of Massachusetts to establish a “BioHub,” envisioned as a program to support area bioindustry. According to a November 6 statement from the university, the initiative has set targets to establish 24 pilot projects, train 500 workers in bioindustry, and create 3,000 new jobs.

ManpowerGroup announced November 11 it would partner with Maricopa Community College in Arizona to design and support programs for training students in end-to-end courses to grant graduates certifications and connecting them to semiconductor and manufacturing employers. In a statement, ManpowerGroup regional president Ger Doyle said the programs would “prepare people for high-impact roles.”

AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Merck have all signed a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation to develop the Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. According to a November 20 statement from the VPIC, the public-private partnership will see $120 million in combined funds from AstraZeneca, Lilly and Merck spent on establishing an industry-aligned workforce training and education center meant to prepare students for careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

SME, a nonprofit organization representing North American manufacturers, announced November 18 it had acquired Milestone C, a Connecticut company that provides educational K-8 STEM program meant to provide elementary, middle, and high schoolers with STEM education and connecting them to career programs like dual-enrollment and industry certification programs. According to SME, the programming familiarizes students with artificial intelligence, aviation, cybersecurity, drone technology, hovercraft and robotics.

Oklahoma’s Office of Management & Enterprise Services announced November 6 it had officially opened its Manufacturing Skills Academy for training students with in-demand skills for manufacturing, including CNC machinist certification, as well as stipends for stipends in training.