Communities with large a manufacturing industry understand the ripple effect manufacturing jobs have on the overall economy. Every job in manufacturing creates another 2.5 new jobs in local goods and services. (Milken Institute and Economic Planning Institute.)
According to a recent Deloitte study the skills gap in the manufacturing industry could see 2 million of those jobs left unfilled.
People are the engine of all businesses. The more specialized and skilled the workforce, the more difficult it is to keep the engine running. Even though the manufacturing industry is willing to pay more for skilled talent the potential vacancies loom large.
Manufacturing is looking inside and outside the box to increase and maintain talent development. Economic development professionals can play a key role in building innovative and successful programs to help fill the skills gap.
