It’s no secret that the manufacturing industry has a workforce problem. Despite continued growth in the sector, attracting and retaining the right workers is a concern that keeps many executives up at night. A recent report predicts that the manufacturing industry will need as many as 3.8 million new workers by 2033, but 1.9 million of those jobs could go unfilled. To combat this issue, manufacturers, industry organizations, and government officials at all levels are investing in education and training opportunities across the country. Here are a few examples of how industrial stakeholders are coming together to inspire, educate, and train the next generation of manufacturing workers. 

In an effort to help fill the manufacturing skills gap in Washington, AJAC (Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships) has partnered with Snohomish County and Bridgeways to launch a new training program. The 10-week program, which is available for Snohomish County residents who are 18 years old or older, offers participants foundational manufacturing skills at no cost. In a recent quote, Demetria “Lynn” Strickland, Executive Director at AJAC, said, “Our employer members are thrilled to have a new pipeline of talent coming straight from their local community directly to the shop floor. Connecting job seekers to these structured training opportunities not only creates and sustains a pipeline of workers for the manufacturing industry but also provides individuals with industry certifications and the opportunity to access family-wage jobs within the county’s robust aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries.”   
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Gadsden State Community College has officially opened its Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center, which is located on the East Broad Campus. The center is designed to provide students with a high-tech, hands-on learning environment and focuses on industrial automation, precision machining, additive manufacturing, and much more. Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, praised Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, and Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development, when he said, “They made the right decisions and worked really hard to make all of this happen. They worked with their local officials, with industry, with municipalities to make sure this center was built at Gadsden State. They are committed to this College.” 
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Purdue University has partnered with Accenture to create the Smart Manufacturing Academy, an online education program that is designed to help employees expand their knowledge of digital transformation. According to Purdue, the flexible curriculum allows employees to access the program at different times and from different locations. Course topics include smart manufacturing, IIoT, automation, robotics, network infrastructure, and more. In a recent quote, Diana Hancock, associate vice president of educational partnerships in Purdue’s Office of Industry Partnerships, said, “Purdue’s persistent pursuit of innovation is on prominent display within the Smart Manufacturing Academy. This dynamic education package is poised to make a mark on the upskilling landscape for frontline manufacturing operators, supervisors and technical experts.” 
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Two researchers at Penn State have received funding to establish the “Immersive upskilling for STF Workers” project. A $392,000 award from the Richard King Mellon Foundation will support the project, which hopes to establish a strong science- and technology-focused (STF) workforce in Mon Valley by utilizing new technologies like virtual and augmented reality tools. In a recent quote, Megan Nagel, chancellor and chief academic officer at Penn State Greater Allegheny, said, “The ‘Immersive Upskilling for STF Workers’ grant will bring research, scholarly activity and community engagement to a region poised to work with local manufacturers. The Mon Valley region will benefit from investment and revitalization, and the training will allow manufacturers to employ a skilled workforce and be competitive on a regional, state and national level.”   
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West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP) has been awarded a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The money is intended to help the institution expand its advanced manufacturing workforce training efforts. The grant and $333,837 in local funds will be used to create the WVUP Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility and obtain necessary equipment. In a recent quote, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, “President Biden knows America’s workers are the source of our country’s competitiveness, and this EDA grant will invest in our workers by helping West Virginians get the opportunities and skills they need for quality, good paying jobs in manufacturing.” 
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