90% of American manufacturers are experiencing a shortage of qualified works. Presently, 600,000 manufacturing jobs sit unfilled as a result. Left unchecked, the skills gap could handcuff growth and limit profit for manufacturers in Ohio and the other 49 states across America. PolymerOhio’s infographic: “Close the Gap: Strategies to Build a Stronger Manufacturing Labor Pool” quickly yet thoroughly explains what steps to take to narrow the gap and overcome the challenges it presents. These steps include Actively market the benefits of manufacturing to generation X, Y & Z—and their parents Publicly dispel the myths of low paying jobs and dark, dirty work conditions Encourage collaboration Increase funding Get engaged Partner for success

1. Millennials are
looking elsewhere—
By 2015, millennials will make up
50% of the workforce worldwide.
Unfortunately, they are
looking outside
manufacturing
for employment.
Demand for workers
is increasing—
Nearly 640,000 people are
employed in Ohio’s
manufacturing industry,
compared to 609,000 in
late 2009.
About OH!Manufacturing - OH!Manufacturing is Network Affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, and is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ohio
Development Services Agency. OH!Manufacturing is operated by PolymerOhio, an Ohio Edison Technology Center focused on
enhancing the Ohio manufacturing industry’s global competitiveness and growth.
Call us today at 614-776-5265 to find out how OH!Manufacturing can help your organization reach its goals for growth.
www.excellenceinmanufacturing.org
Fixingtheproblem
STARTSWITH
UNDERSTANDING
WHAT CAUSED IT
Sowhathastohappen
These jobs remain unfilled even
though manufacturers earn roughly
more than non-
manufacturing
workers.
There are currently 10.5 million
unemployed workers in the U.S.
90%of all U.S.
manufacturers
are experiencing
a shortage of
qualified workers.
“By 2020, the nation could face a shortfall of around 875,000
machinists, welders, industrial-machinery operators, and
other highly skilled manufacturing professionals.”
-Boston Consulting Group
10.5 million
600,000U.S. manufacturing
jobs remain unfilled.
There is a VERY REAL and VERY LARGE skills gap
between job seekers and employers.
19%
GAP
THE
Many workers are nearing
retirement age—
The average age of a
highly skilled U.S.
manufacturing worker
is 56.
Manufacturing has
an image problem—
Many parents, educators and
students view
manufacturing as a
dirty, low paying field.
Manufacturing is
more high tech—
Higher skill levels are required than in
the past. It is more and more difficult
for unemployed workers to
fill existing positions without
substantial training.
Strategies to build a stronger
manufacturing labor pool
90% 10%
CLOSE
Get Engaged
n Conduct one-on-one career mentoring.
n Participate in career days at local schools.
n Coordinate a panel of experts to speak with students
and parents about career options in your industry.
n Provide job shadow opportunities for students.
n Offer student internship opportunities.
n Host student field trips.
n Leverage non profits.
Proactively Market the Benefits of Manufacturing
to Generation X, Y & Z—and Their Parents
n Foster connections between students and prospective employers.
n Participate in and promote National Manufacturing Day and Ohio Manufacturing
Month Activities.
n Hold demonstrations, workshops, and other events.
n Highlight new, state of the art technology such as 3D printing, robotics,
simulation software and CNC machine tools.
Encourage
collaboration
n Bring together manufacturers,
career tech centers and
other stakeholders to create
additional educational
opportunities.
n Develop and implement
skills-training curriculum and
programs that fill the needs of
today’s manufacturers.
Increase
funding
n Take advantage of existing state and federal grant programs.
n Actively seek new funding sources.
n Advocate for increased availability of funds for long-term
workforce development—from K-12 to adult education.
Partner for Success
n Work with other area manufacturers.
n Form close alliances with local career
tech centers.
n Leverage non-profit resources such as
PolymerOhio and OH!Manufacturing
to help you make connections and
increase outreach opportunities.
Publically dispel the myths of low paying jobs
and dark, dirty work conditions
n Use mobile labs to bring manufacturing to the classroom.
n Conduct regular plant tours for educators, community members and students.
n Encourage partnerships that will bring more advanced manufacturing technology
into local classrooms—from sophisticated software to 3D printers.
n Consider sponsoring a manufacturing exhibit at a local science center.
Build a pipeline of qualified
employees through
outreach and education
Interest in manufacturin
gcareers has waned.
Manufacturingis on the upswing
Klobuchar, Amy.“Manufacturing Jobs for the Future.”Joint Economic Committee Democratic Staff ▪. http://www.jec.senate.gov/public/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=a5c87e25-
ff51-4b4f-9ced-2ee4b0bee12f.
Sitek, Steve.“Bridging the Skills Gap.”NIST. http://nist.gov/mep/upload/Bridging-the-Skills-Gap_2012.pdf.
NIST. http://www.nist.gov/mep/images/NIST_Infographic_91112_MASTER.jpg.
Sirkin, Harold L.“The Coming Shortage of Skilled Manufacturing Workers.”Business Week. http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-14/the-coming-shortage-of-
skilled-manufacturing-workers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm.
Hemphill, Thomas A., Waheeda Lillevik, and Mark J. Perry.“Confronting the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Skills Gap.”The American. http://www.american.com/
archive/2013/january/confronting-the-u-s-advanced-manufacturing-skills-gap.
Deloitte. http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/~/media/5856BC6196764320A6BEFA0D9962BE80.ashx.
Department of Labor. http://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/KACManufacturingReport.pdf.
Sirkin, Harold L., Michael Zinser, and Justin Rose.“The U.S. Skills Gap: Could It Threaten a Manufacturing Renaissance?.”Department of Labor. http://www.dol.gov/odep/
pdf/KACManufacturingReport.pdf.