Thermoforming Report

Connecting Education, Industry, and Opportunity to Build Tomorrow’s Workforce

The conversation around manufacturing’s future often centers on technology. But not every major development in manufacturing is about AI.

While companies continue to explore how AI can be applied across their platforms and manufacturing operations, another challenge is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: finding the people needed to keep U.S. manufacturing moving.

The industry is facing a significant and growing shortage of workers, one that could have far-reaching consequences for manufacturers and the broader economy.

A Shortage with a Trillion-Dollar Impact

The outlook for manufacturing’s future workforce is concerning, and the numbers make it clear why. An article we’ll explore further in this Thermoforming Report, Renewing America’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce: A Community College Imperative, published by CC Daily, cites this research:

“According to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, manufacturers will need approximately 3.8 million additional workers between 2024 and 2033. If current trends continue, nearly 1.9 million of those positions could remain unfilled, potentially reducing U.S. economic output by as much as $1 trillion by 2030. Manufacturers consistently cite talent shortages as a major barrier to growth. Unfilled positions can reduce productivity, delay expansion plans, strain supply chains, and limit the return on substantial public and private investment.”

And yes, that’s trillion with a capital T!

The Challenge

The idea for this topic actually comes from my own personal experience. My son is a high school senior, and like many of his friends, he isn’t sure what he wants to do after graduation. He’s also questioning the value of a traditional college or university education (despite some encouragement from his dad!).

His question is a fair one: “Why do I want to spend money taking classes that aren’t relevant when I don’t even know what I want to do?”

It’s a valid question, and one that got me thinking about the opportunities available to young people who are interested in building a career but aren’t necessarily sure where to start.

Locally, there’s an organization called NCTAP that offers a four-year, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship program. Several local manufacturers and service companies have partnered with the community college to develop a program that does exactly what the CC Daily article highlights – bringing industry, education, and the public sector together to prepare the next generation of manufacturing talent.

My wife, son, and I attended an NCTAP Open House a couple of weeks ago, and it was easy to see how this program can work for everyone from small, family-run businesses to local plants of global companies.

The premise is simple: coming in cold – with little to no prior experience – is perfectly fine. One of the program administrators, who is also a member of a participating manufacturing company, shared this perspective:

“We will train you up, you will get a free education in parallel, and you will come out in 4 years with an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Journeyman Certificate, a full-time job if you want it, money in your pocket, and a path forward.”

To say that is compelling is an understatement!

Expanding What’s Working

We’ve highlighted similar programs in the past, including the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME), originally launched by Toyota in 2010. Today, FAME has grown into a nationwide network, with manufacturers across the country partnering with educational institutions to develop the next generation of skilled workers. Communities across the country are working alongside their local community colleges to embrace this approach or develop their own programs to prepare and equip the next generation of manufacturing talent.

The CC Daily article goes on to highlight several key areas that deserve attention:

• Rethinking Workforce Education
• Industry-Integrated Learning Models
• Building Sector-Focused Pathways
• Work-Based Learning and Degree Apprenticeships
• Expanding Awareness of Manufacturing Careers  

The Work Ahead

The full article is well worth reading. It does an excellent job of outlining the issues and opportunities ahead, and summarizes its position on “the road ahead” with the following statement:

“The future of American manufacturing will depend as much on talent development as on technological innovation. Investments in facilities, equipment, and advanced technologies can expand production capacity, but a skilled workforce remains the essential driver of long-term competitiveness and economic growth.”

I couldn’t agree more!

But there’s one major challenge facing NCTAP, FAME, and other similar programs: they need to grow – and grow significantly. NCTAP currently has 15 supporting organizations, with approximately 50–75 apprentices entering the program each year. As good as these programs are, that’s simply not enough to address the broader workforce challenge.

More manufacturers need to step up, partner with local community colleges and similar institutions, and invest the resources necessary to establish or grow programs in their own regions. Existing models like FAME provide a starting point – manufacturers need to find ways to make something similar happen in their part of the country.

Manufacturing remains a backbone of our economy, and we need more people – especially students and young adults – to recognize it for what it is: an opportunity to build a rewarding career, develop valuable skills, and create a future.

At Siena Group, we are your Thermoforming Talent Partner. With more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, hiring & recruiting talent, we bring a greater understanding of the companies we partner with and the candidates we pursue.
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