Workforce Initiatives Redefine Manufacturing Jobs

Advanced manufacturing increases productivity, enhances economic strength and national security, drives innovation, and provides rewarding career opportunities. But the National Association of Manufacturers estimates that manufacturers will need to fill 3.8 million jobs over the next decade — staffing these good jobs cannot be achieved without first addressing a key barrier: attracting and retaining workers. Manufacturing USA has developed the Revitalizing America's Manufacturing Workforce: A Manufacturing USA National Roadmap and the 2026 Advanced Manufacturing Occupation and Competency Framework ensure manufacturers have the workers they need to keep growing. 

The institutes within the Manufacturing USA network are helping to define the skills and training needed to meet manufacturers’ future requirements. These efforts include:

• Defining new careers for automation, robotics, AI and data analytics
• Retraining and upskilling the current workforce
• Attracting STEM talent for the future

Each institute has ongoing workforce development initiatives, which can be viewed on this interactive map. They are engaging with educational institutions and industry to increase interest in manufacturing careers and equip manufacturing workers with the skills they need to support the advanced manufacturing of the future. Many of the institutes have developed specialty online learning initiatives to develop career pathways that offer:

• Competency-based vs. time-based learning, which allows for more individualized curricula and targeting specific skills, and usually results in higher engagement.
• Flexibility that expands the pool of participants, an important consideration for underrepresented populations for whom traditional classroom programs may pose attendance challenges due to lack of transportation and time constraints.

Over 100,000 of workers, students, and educators in the past year have participated in institute workforce programs, including mid-career programs, apprenticeships, internships and summer camps. Workforce development plays a key role in ensuring that advanced manufacturing supports U.S. technological competitiveness and drives product and process improvements that advance the U.S. economy.

Developed by the ARM Institute and 300 industry partners, RoboticsCareers.org is the nation’s first resource to connect manufacturers, workers, and job seekers with education programs to develop skills for careers in automation and robotics. 

The Manufacturing USA network developed the 2026 Manufacturing USA Occupation and Competency Framework to equip job seekers, employers, and trainers with the common language and linkages needed to successfully meet the advanced manufacturing industry’s workforce needs.