Gearing Up the Next-Generation Workforce

The following is an excerpt from a recent Industry Week article written by Alyssa Rumsey, senior industry engagement manager at the Center of Innovation for Manufacturing, part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development:

The growing demand for a skilled manufacturing workforce becomes more apparent as global competition increases and products and processes become more complex. Solving manufacturing problems in this new era of globalization and digitization requires diversity of thought, skill and background, and women are valuable in these environments. However, according to the latest U.S. Census, women make up just under half of the working population in the United States, but account for only 29% of the manufacturing workforce.

The lack of female representation in manufacturing can be attributed to a variety of factors including significant gender pay gaps, negative perceptions of manufacturing jobs, and outdated social and cultural workplace norms. To begin to correct these issues requires raising awareness of manufacturing careers and creating female communities of practice supported by government, industry and academic programs in order to attract and retain new talent in manufacturing.

My first job when I graduated from college was in aerospace manufacturing – and my first day on the job was my first time on a manufacturing shop floor. I was overwhelmed and in awe at the same time. I had never considered manufacturing as a career because it was something I was never exposed to growing up in a small rural town. Herein lies an opportunity to create early exposure to manufacturing careers that is necessary for continued economic prosperity.

There are multiple short- and long-term initiatives geared towards developing a pipeline of workforce talent. For example, National Manufacturing Day is a designated day in October, produced by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute, which encourages manufacturers to open their doors for plant tours and demonstrations to local schools and the public. This annual one-day event can create a lasting impact on students and parents, but it relies on manufacturers placing an emphasis on outreach and recognizing the importance of experiential education.