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.
Triumph Gulf Coast (TGC) has agreed to give Florida State University $98.4 million to open new advanced manufacturing and aerospace facilities called the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research and Education. In addition, the school will invest $65 million of its own money into the project and hopes to secure $235 million in grant funding. In a recent quote, Vice President for Research at FSU, Stacey S. Patterson, said, “INSPIRE or the Innovation for Strategic Partnerships for Innovation, Research and Education is truly a transformational concept. We think it provides the foundation for FSU to better serve the needs required to fuel this innovation economy and will serve as a beacon to attract others to the region. The impact will be felt for decades to come.”
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Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) will be receiving $450,000 to establish an extrusion and injection molding program. The funding, made possible by the Delta Workforce Grant Program, is designed to provide industry-driven training and workforce development, and give students the tools they need to be successful in a manufacturing career. In a recent quote, Dean Karen Heslep of ASUMH’s School of Business and Technology said, “This DRA grant, combined with donations from Baxter and Danfoss, provides the resources needed to add curriculum to our existing programs so ASUMH graduates have the skills in using and maintaining this machinery. Partnerships with industry, such as these with Baxter and Danfoss, are the key to our being awarded grant funds.”
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Toyota USA Foundation will give $2 million in grants to North Carolina schools in Randolph and Guilford Counties. The funding is designed to create programs to help prepare students for a career in STEM. The grants are part of Toyota's Driving Possibilities initiative, which focuses on PreK-12 education and introduces students to a career in industry. In a recent quote, Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation at Toyota, said, “Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our team members live and work. With $2 million in the first year, we are excited to expand Driving Possibilities here in North Carolina, home to our first battery plant in North America.”
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Panasonic Energy has partnered with Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) to create the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. The facility, located in Reno, Nevada, provides students with access to state-of-the-art equipment, allowing them to gain practical experience in advanced manufacturing processes. In a recent quote, Allan Swan, President, Panasonic Energy of North America, said, "Since 2017, Panasonic Energy has worked with TMCC to provide educational opportunities to communities in northern Nevada and invest in talent development in the region. We are thrilled to share this cutting-edge manufacturing education center with TMCC to provide students with hands-on training opportunities, and equip them with the skills necessary for success in today's technology-driven world."
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Arizona has announced a new Future48 Workforce Accelerator to support the area’s battery manufacturing industry. The new 19,850-square-foot building on Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain Campus will offer workforce training focused on the manufacturing process of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. The project was made possible with assistance from Pinal County, Central Arizona College, LG Energy Solution, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Design Systems Inc. (DSI) and Architekton Architects. In a recent quote, Dr. Jackie Elliott, President/CEO, Central Arizona College, said, “Central Arizona College is pleased to be a partner in creating a world class learner environment where future students will learn the latest LGES manufacturing technology from industry experts. We are dedicated in providing workforce development opportunities that benefit not only Pinal County but also the state of Arizona and our Nation.”
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