Workforce Training
Message to Congress - Support manufacturing in America by increasing funding for job training, recruitment, and retention programs.
Job Recruitment, Training, and Retention and Advanced Technical Education are Critical to the Future of Manufacturing in America
Without a well-trained and skilled workforce, manufacturing in America cannot survive. Manufacturing technology continues to advance as does the need for highly skilled workers. This skills shortage is exacerbated as a large number of highly skilled employees near retirement age – 40% of the workforce will retire in the next five years. With many manufacturing technology programs at secondary and post-secondary schools having closed in recent years, there are not enough skilled people to fill these essential roles.
Congress should fund public-private partnership projects that recruit, screen, train, place, and retain workers in critical metalworking industries. When the global economy begins to rebound, employers will face even greater challenges identifying highly skilled workers. The programs can train and retrain displaced workers, veterans, and Americans entering the workforce for the first time.
Members of Congress should work with the Appropriations Committees to increase federal funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at a time when small and medium sized manufacturers need the program the most. MEPs have served 18,000 manufacturers who accounted for $2.8 billion in sales, $681 million in cost savings and 35,000 jobs. In addition, industry-led and industry-specific skill standards such as those developed through the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) need continued support to meet the workforce goals of our industry to secure the future of manufacturing in America. The federal government must demonstrate its commitment to maintaining and strengthening the manufacturing base in the U.S.
Congress, the Administration, industry, and educational institutions must work together to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure American companies continue manufacturing in America. Companies are already relocating facilities overseas in search of lower production costs; the lack of a qualified workforce will only expedite the exodus of American manufacturing. Congress should increase resources for job recruitment, training, and retention.