Addressing the Skills Gap in Manufacturing

Reports of a serious shortage of skilled manufacturing workers in the United States have been prevalent throughout the last decade of economic challenges, though the size of the shortage varies. At a time when the economy needs all the help it can get, the perceived gap between employment demand and skilled workers actually derives from a lack of manufacturers’ willingness to pay.

Growth in the manufacturing industry was a significant factor in helping America emerge from the Great Recession of 2009 and is expected to drive the continuing recovery.

As the manufacturing workforce ages and the estimations of how big the gap is vary greatly, the authors emphasize the need for proper training to address the shortfall. They state that we need to stop telling children manufacturing jobs are headed overseas, offer more internships and apprenticeships to complement formal skills-related educational programs, and ensure that potential employees are paid competitive wages.

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