Career and Technical Education (CTE) students and educators play a critical role in shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. Connecting these audiences to real technologies, career pathways, and training opportunities is essential to building a skilled and competitive workforce.
That’s why Manufacturing USA returned to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), June 1–5 in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual event brought together more than 19,000 students, educators, and industry professionals for a week of competition, career exploration, and hands-on learning.
As an official SkillsUSA partner, Manufacturing USA engaged over 2,300 participants by:
- Showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies
- Connecting attendees to career pathways and training opportunities
- Highlighting resources across its 17 innovation institutes
Connecting Students to Advanced Manufacturing Careers
Throughout the week, an interactive exhibit booth served as a hub for hands-on exploration and career discovery. Attendees connected directly with institute representatives, gaining insight into the technologies, skills, and roles shaping today’s manufacturing workforce.
Through these interactions, participants explored:
- Advanced manufacturing technologies in action, including additive manufacturing, composites, and microelectronics
- Career pathways, training opportunities, and job roles across advanced manufacturing sectors and critical and emerging technology areas
- Skills and competencies required to enter and advance in the field
This engagement was especially relevant given the strong overlap between SkillsUSA competitions and Manufacturing USA focus areas. More than 25 SkillsUSA competitions align closely with the technologies and workforce needs of the Manufacturing USA network, spanning areas such as additive manufacturing, robotics, CNC machining, cybersecurity, and industrial automation.
Building on these interactions, Manufacturing USA highlighted Modern Makers Career Pathways posters, introducing students to the people behind advanced manufacturing careers and the paths they took to get there. By spotlighting roles in additive, digital, and biomanufacturing, along with the skills, students gained a clearer understanding of the skills, education, and training required to enter the field.
To help translate that awareness into action, Manufacturing USA also featured EWD Connect to help students and educators easily find training programs, certifications, and educational opportunities across the network. This connection to real programs helped participants move beyond exploration and identify clear next steps toward careers in advanced manufacturing.
Hands-On Technologies Drive Engagement
Hands-on demonstrations drove engagement throughout the week, making advanced manufacturing more tangible and accessible.
Key activities included:
- 3D printing demonstrations by America Makes, where more than 100 custom-designed rings were created by students
- Interactive trivia scavenger hunt led by BioFabUSA, connecting over 400 students with key concepts and sparking interest in biomanufacturing.
Looking Ahead
Manufacturing USA’s participation at SkillsUSA reinforces the importance of connecting students to both inspiration and opportunity—helping the next generation better understand where they fit within the advanced manufacturing workforce and how to get there.
To learn more about upcoming events, please visit our Events page.