Skilled Workers Needed as American
Manufacturing Reclaims its Prowess

America’s Industrial Revolution in the 19th century propelled economic development and served as the springboard for this nation to become a world power.  Sadly, a number of factors since post-World War II led to a manufacturing malaise that knocked the U.S. off this lofty production perch. Fortunately, new dynamics are now at work, which, if this country responds with intelligence and fortitude, can create an “Industrial Evolution” that will revive our manufacturing prowess.

A pipedream of industry insiders? Unsubstantiated optimism expressed by corporate leaders? Wishful thinking from trade groups? Not at all—if manufacturers, educators, trade groups and even the media work to fill a critical need: Dramatically increasing the pool of available, highly skilled industrial workers. Many experts view filling this labor shortage as the biggest challenge America faces in achieving a manufacturing renaissance.

Examining why our country is in this predicament offers many clues on how to remedy it:

• Education priorities today rarely position manufacturing as a preferred career choice. The problem includes the curricula offered and counselors too focused on recommending typical four-year universities.
• Foreign-born individuals bring language barriers. Manufacturing jobs appeal to many immigrants, yet those who have difficulties with English as their second language often face hurdles that impact their effectiveness.
• Manufacturing jobs went overseas. Emerging technologies in India and China initially resulted in a steady stream of jobs going overseas because of low labor rates.
• New skills are required. Most of the fastest-growing jobs today require advanced knowledge and skills, but many in the available workforce lack these skills and the educational background.
• Manufacturing gets no respect. The poor image of manufacturing may be the most powerful factor driving the skilled worker shortage. The Department of Labor recently stated, “Manufacturing confronts a negative image, characterized by such phrases as ‘declining,’ ‘dirty,’ ‘low-pay,’ etc. Consequently, too few highly skilled workers seriously consider manufacturing careers.”

Manufacturing can be the dream job
Changing this landscape is doable. The manufacturing community and others connected to it can position manufacturing as the dream job by leveraging the following trends with vigor:

• The industry has changed. New technologies implemented in factories and plants from coast to coast have dramatically transformed manufacturing. 
• The jobs are “cool” and appealing. With such developments, workers can now be experts and enjoy operating the most advanced, sophisticated equipment in the world.
• Wages are good. Manufacturers will pay a premium for this expertise and offer highly competitive wages and benefits.
• Jobs are plentiful. With 70 million baby boomers retiring in the next decade, opportunities will abound. According to the Labor Department, between 2002 and 2012 there will be 2.0 million job openings in computer science, math, engineering and physical sciences, plus an additional 2.4 million skilled production jobs for machinists, machine assemblers and operators, systems operators and technicians.
• Skilled jobs are staying in the U.S. American manufacturers are discovering that specialized work required today can’t be done overseas.
  The convergence of these factors has laid the foundation for an “industrial evolution” in this country. Yet, there remain many blocks to build to complete the process. Fortunately, initial progress has been made. Here’s what’s needed:
• Industry sectors must team up and help drive the process. Entities that include local economic councils, government units, schools and manufacturers need to create programs and work together.
  In Maryland, for example, the Carroll County Department of Economic Development, Carroll Community College and manufacturing industries joined forces to address a workforce shortage in the region. The Carroll County Manufacturing Consortium recruits and attracts qualified and trained workers to the county’s many specialized niche-manufacturing industries.
  The Dream It. Do It. Campaign, a program started in 2006 to educate and train local people to fill manufacturing jobs in Smyth and Washington counties in Virginia, uses grants from state and local agencies. Already, students have enrolled in 450 occupational and leadership skill training classes and area community colleges, which offer courses specified by the local manufacturers.
• Industry must reach out to potential job candidates when they are young.
  Who would imagine that woodworking and welding would replace swimming and sports as major activities for youngsters who attend summer camps? Yet, such programs are starting to flourish, introducing young people to the joys of making things.
  Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International offers grants for manufacturing summer camps at locations across the country aimed at changing the image of manufacturing for youth. The camps provide positive, hands-on experiences so young people will consider manufacturing as a career. They target youth at the critical level of secondary education, exposing them to math, science and engineering principles, and giving them opportunities to see the technology being used in industry and the high level of skills required.
• The education system is beginning to join the evolution, although it will require significant urging to those in academia—as well as funding. 
  To illustrate, a new, innovative initiative at Max S. Hayes High School in Cleveland provides students with the 21st century skills needed to become blue-collar employees working in manufacturing and computers. The program has a rigorous curriculum, including calculus, chemistry, physics, robotics competitions and rotations in computer-aided design and drafting, computer numerical control machining, robotics and engineering welding.
  In Milwaukee, after years of cuts, shop classes returned to local schools, and welding labs at two high schools reopened. The system also started offering robotics at three high schools, expanded a program in computer-integrated manufacturing and launched a small-engine program with equipment donated by Briggs & Stratton.
  Manufacturers and distributors can respond by establishing their own programs. Recognizing the shortage of skilled labor, Midwest Metal Products in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is paying for training courses and certification, and providing paid internship positions to acquire locally trained, skilled workers.
  The Project Lead the Way class in Milwaukee, funded by a three-year, $455,000 contribution by Rockwell Automation, targets middle schools to eventually increase and improve candidates for Rockwell’s engineering scholarship.
  Trade groups and manufacturing executives should aggressively convey to educators the need to create curricula that provides young people with the knowledge and skills in demand today on the factory floor.
• There is a trend now away from outsourcing work overseas. American manufacturers must understand why this is happening—and keep more work at home.
  Active Magazine recently noted, “Not long ago, the default answer to sagging manufacturing profits was to slash labor costs by moving the factory overseas. But many manufacturers now realize that offshoring doesn’t always make sense. Risks include uneven quality control, communication breakdown because of language barriers, political upheaval and high transportation costs.” Safety issues with finished goods are another concern. 
• We must overhaul the image of manufacturing.
  Thankfully, new attitudes and perceptions regarding manufacturing jobs are beginning to get traction. In Carroll County, Md., a local economic council has pledged to overcome the preconceived notions of traditional manufacturing and present manufacturing jobs as an appealing option for youth.

“The New Steel” campaign from the steel industry portrays positive features of the industry in national ads.

On a smaller scale, the Dream It. Do It. program in Virginia actively spreads the word about manufacturing jobs. Campaign director Bruce Kravitz says he visits area high schools and runs local ads. He even sets up computer kiosks at the high schools and community colleges to promote the program. “Manufacturing is growing, and that’s the message we’ve got to get out.”

Industry must constantly inform the media about all of these exciting initiatives with energetic public information campaigns, work with them to help tell these stories to the public—and convince young people dream jobs are there for the taking.

The American Dream has been part of this country’s fabric since its founding. The dream has taken many forms for U.S. citizens—freedom in all of its manifestations, security and protection, living comfortably, and working and earning a decent wage. That last quest has taken a bit of a hit in recent years, particularly for those employed at making products.

However, this country is on the cusp of reviving that dream for millions. As young people recognize the exciting potential to work with the most advanced technologies in a clean, comfortable environment, and receive a high level of wage commensurate with the high skills required, this American dream will live again.

*Gerald Shankel is president and CEO of the Rockford, Ill.-based Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International.