Workforce development is taking on increasing importance as manufacturers not only must fill more than 800,000 current openings but also define new careers involving robotics, automation and AI. Manufacturers are seeking people with the right skills for the advanced manufacturing jobs of today and tomorrow and finding ways to upskill their...

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe shortages of medical personal protective equipment (PPE) in the U.S. The advanced manufacturing sector was at the center of the U.S. response, acting as a catalyst to help re-invent the PPE domestic supply chain and playing a major role in the development, production and distribution of...

The growth in electronic devices, smart machines and connectivity throughout the world means almost every industry is dependent upon semiconductors. A global shortage of microelectronic semiconductor chips, made worse with changing demands and supply chain issues, has disrupted U.S. automobile manufacturers and is expected to impact consumer...

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way manufacturers recruit, train and develop their workforce. Long term, this shift will work in manufacturers' favor as online learning is also key to developing the skills necessary to leverage the emerging technologies that will give rise to the advanced manufacturing economy of the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a ripple effect for U.S. manufacturers that revealed not only a lack of redundancy in the supply chain but also a lack of transparency. As the pandemic took hold, worldwide demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) dramatically increased and many material and product costs skyrocketed. It quickly became apparent...