Keeping America Competitive: How a Talent Shortage Threatens U.S. Manufacturing

Manufacturers in the United States are innovative, productive and efficient. For decades the manufacturing sector has been the center of strength of the American economy and its prospects for future growth. Nonetheless, global pressures are squeezing U.S. manufacturers as they face brutal competition from around the world. Relentless advances in technology have infused every aspect of manufacturing—from design and production to inventory management, delivery and service. Today’s manufacturing jobs are technology jobs, and employees at all levels must have the wide range of skills required to respond to the demands of an increasingly complex environment. And as baby boomers retire, manufacturers face a looming shortage of highly skilled, technically competent employees who can fully exploit the potential of new technologies and support increased product complexity. More than 80 percent of the surveyed manufacturers reported a “moderate to serious” shortage of qualified job applicants.