Connecting advanced manufacturing competencies to occupations across the network
Advanced manufacturing is an important part of the U.S. economy and helps create well-paying skilled-trade jobs for Americans. By developing new technologies at home, the U.S. can boost its advanced manufacturing sector and maintain its position as a leader in manufacturing worldwide. However, to take advantage of opportunities to reshore U.S. manufacturing, the industry needs to focus on training workers and making sure there is a skilled workforce available.
The Manufacturing USA network developed the 2025 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. The framework:
- Outlines the most common entry-level occupations in advanced manufacturing across the Manufacturing USA network
- Specifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities that workers need, both now and into the future, to work with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies across 18 technology areas
- Provides a common language around occupations, skills, and competencies to improve collaboration industry, training providers, workers, and among the Manufacturing USA institutes.
The Manufacturing USA Occupation and Competency Framework is a first-of-its-kind framework that builds on and extends existing Department of Labor (DOL) models while spanning the five technology groupings covered by the 18 Manufacturing USA institutes. This framework provides the key first step to accelerating the recruitment and training of workers across the country: connecting industry’s most important skills, competencies, and occupations in the advanced manufacturing technology fields to existing frameworks, institutes, and workforce development efforts.
