Penny Pritzker: Time To Worry About The Manufacturing-Skills Gap
by October 3, 2015 8:18 pm 118 views
Editor’s note: This guest commentary is written by U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers Jay Timmons.
If manufacturing in the United States were its own country, it would rank as the ninth-largest economy in the world, with manufacturers contributing $2.09 trillion to the U.S. economy every year.
Every dollar spent in the manufacturing sector adds another $1.37 to the economy and each manufacturing job creates another 2.5 jobs in local goods and services.
No wonder 90 percent of Americans believe manufacturing is important for a strong economy. Yet, only 37 percent of parents encourage their kids to pursue manufacturing careers, and only 18 percent see it as a top career choice.
That discrepancy should alarm all of us. According to a study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, “The United States faces a need for nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade, and 2 million of those jobs are likely to go unfilled due to the skills gap.” Skilled workers are in high demand at manufacturing companies large and small, but not enough young people are developing the skills needed to fill those jobs.
Too many people view manufacturers as outdated factories filled with line jobs – not as innovative, inventive businesses, where workers develop and use the latest technology and build lasting, middle class careers.
To remain globally competitive, we need to encourage more young people to pursue educational tracks that can lead to a successful manufacturing career.
That discrepancy should alarm all of us. According to a study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, “The United States faces a need for nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade, and 2 million of those jobs are likely to go unfilled due to the skills gap.” Skilled workers are in high demand at manufacturing companies large and small, but not enough young people are developing the skills needed to fill those jobs.
Too many people view manufacturers as outdated factories filled with line jobs – not as innovative, inventive businesses, where workers develop and use the latest technology and build lasting, middle class careers.
To remain globally competitive, we need to encourage more young people to pursue educational tracks that can lead to a successful manufacturing career.
On Oct. 5, Ace Clearwater Enterprises and the Alcoa Foundation will host a STEP [Science, Technology, Engineering and Production] Forward event in Torrance, Calif., bringing together women in manufacturing to network, discuss challenges and opportunities and learn best practices.
The Obama administration is doing its part as well and working directly with businesses and communities. The Department of Commerce leads the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a network of 60 centers and 1,200 manufacturing experts, assisting small manufacturers in improving their production processes, upgrading their technological capabilities, and bringing new products to market.
Through our Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership, the Commerce Department supports communities by encouraging leaders in a region to break down silos and develop thoughtful, comprehensive approaches to their economic development. The communities with the best plans are then eligible to receive funding from 11 different federal agencies to support the implementation of their strategy.
There is much for us to collaborate on when it comes to manufacturing and working together, we can both inspire the next generation and bring about a better and brighter future for manufacturing and our country.