Skill up: From classroom to factory — How schools and manufacturers are collaborating to train future workers
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.
The University of Oklahoma and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have formed a strategic partnership to launch a new additive manufacturing center in Norman, OK, aimed at advancing metal additive manufacturing for aerospace and national defense. The collaboration, leveraging OU’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory and ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, will also support research, training, and workforce development in related technologies. In a recent quote, Gen Robin Rand (USAF, ret.), OADII’s executive director, said, “This long-term partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory fully aligns with the recently published update of OU’s strategic plan. Our deliberate push to advance additive manufacturing research is fueling innovation and economic prosperity in Oklahoma and reducing risk to our nation’s defense.”
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Thomasville City Schools has received an $87,000 grant through the Georgia AIM program, in partnership with Georgia Tech, to create a Smart Manufacturing curriculum aimed at preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing and automation. The new program will provide students with hands-on experience in technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart factory systems. In a recent quote, Dr. Scott Sweeting, Superintendent of Thomasville City Schools, said, “We are proud to partner with Georgia Tech to bring this level of innovation to our schools. This program not only supports career readiness, but also helps students see the vast opportunities that exist in AI-driven manufacturing and automation.”
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MIT has launched the Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM), a comprehensive effort to revitalize U.S. industrial production through advanced research, education, and partnerships with companies across various sectors. The initiative’s goals include boosting economic sectors, creating jobs, and supporting innovation in areas like artificial intelligence for manufacturing, with founding industry members including Amgen, GE Vernova, and Siemens. In a recent quote, MIT President Sally A. Kornbluth said, “We want to work with firms big and small, in cities, small towns and everywhere in between, to help them adopt new approaches for increased productivity. We want to deliberately design high-quality, human-centered manufacturing jobs that bring new life to communities across the country.”
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Edmonds College has been awarded a $300,000 grant from Jobs for the Future (JFF) to expand programs at its Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center and increase access to quality jobs for economically disadvantaged students. As one of 10 colleges selected for JFF's Project ACCESS initiative, the two-year grant will support workforce program growth through funding, technical assistance, and coaching. In a recent quote, Edmonds College President Dr. Amit B. Singh said, “This grant allows us to develop strategies and community partnerships to increase enrollment in our affordable workforce programs to help put students on the path to career mobility.”
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Michigan Engineering Professional Education has launched two new six-month programs—the Leadership Development Program in Manufacturing and the Leadership Development Program in Supply Chain—in collaboration with Emeritus, with enrollment now open for a June 2025 start. These programs aim to equip senior executives with the strategic and technical skills needed to lead transformation in the manufacturing and supply chain sectors through live sessions, case studies, and a capstone project. In a recent quote, Debra Levantrosser, academic co-director for both programs and lecturer in industrial and operations engineering at the University of Michigan, said, "Today's manufacturing and supply chain leaders must go beyond operational efficiency — they must be agents of transformation. These programs are designed to develop forward-thinking leaders who can blend strategy, technology, and sustainability to create lasting business impact."
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