While manufacturing is picking up pace in the U.S., fewer young employees are interested in careers in manufacturing, leaving the potential for a large gap in the skilled workforce. This infographic helps to review what can be done to begin closing this gap by suggesting actions that manufacturers and academia can take to help today's student gain a better understanding of the career potential in manufacturing.

1. CLOSE
THE
GAP
Strategies to build a stronger
manufacturing labor pool
Interest in manufacturing
careers has waned.
Manufacturing
is on the upsw ing
There is a VERY REAL and VERY LARGE skills gap
between job seekers and employers.
90%
of all U.S.
manufacturers
are experiencing
a shortage of
quali ed workers.
90% 10%
These jobs remain un lled even
though manufacturers earn roughly
more than non-manufacturing
workers.
10.5 million
600,000
U.S. manufacturing
jobs remain un lled.
19%
“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
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 eld.
Millennials are
looking elsewhere—
By 2015, millennials will make up
50% of the workforce worldwide.
Unfortunately, they are
looking outside
manufacturing
for employment.
There are currently 10.5 million
unemployed workers in the U.S.
Fixing the problem
STARTS WITH
UNDERSTANDING
WHAT CAUSED IT
Manufacturing is
more high tech—
Higher skill levels are required than in
the past. It is more and more di cult
for unemployed workers to
ll existing positions without
substantial training.
Demand for workers
is increasing—
Nearly 640,000 people are
employed in Ohio’s
manufacturing industry,
compared to 609,000 in
late 2009.
So what has to happen
Build a pipeline of quali ed
employees through
outreach and education
Proactively market the bene ts of manufacturing
to generation X, Y Z—and their parents
 Foster connections between students and prospective employers.
 Participate in and promote National Manufacturing Day and Ohio Manufacturing
Month Activities.
 Hold demonstrations, workshops, and other events.
 Highlight new, state of the art technology such as 3D printing, robotics,
simulation software and CNC machine tools.
Publicly dispel the myths of low paying jobs
and dark, dirty work conditions
 Use mobile labs to bring manufacturing to the classroom.
 Conduct regular plant tours for educators, community members and students.
 Encourage partnerships that will bring more advanced manufacturing technology
into local classrooms—from sophisticated software to 3D printers.
 Consider sponsoring a manufacturing exhibit at a local science center.
Increase
funding
 Take advantage of existing state and federal grant programs.
 Actively seek new funding sources.
 Advocate for increased availability of funds for long-term
workforce development—from K-12 to adult education.
Get engaged
 Conduct one-on-one career mentoring.
 Participate in career days at local schools.
 Coordinate a panel of experts to speak with students
and parents about career options in your industry.
 Provide job shadow opportunities for students.
 O er student internship opportunities.
 Host student eld trips.
 Leverage non pro ts.
Partner for success
 Work with other area manufacturers.
 Form close alliances with local career
tech centers.
 Leverage non-pro t resources such as
PolymerOhio and OH!Manufacturing
to help you make connections and
increase outreach opportunities.
www.excellenceinmanufacturing.org
Encourage
collaboration
 Bring together manufacturers,
career tech centers and
other stakeholders to create
additional educational
opportunities.
 Develop and implement
skills-training curriculum and
programs that ll the needs of
today’s manufacturers.
About OH!Manufacturing - OH!Manufacturing is Network A liate 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 nd out how OH!Manufacturing can help your organization reach its goals for growth.
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