NAM Study Examines Workforce Issues

In case you missed it, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) prepared an interesting study of workforce needs in the manufacturing sector. What is striking is that the analysis points to a major need for workforce development in manufacturing, but the recommendations are weak in terms of dealing with the problem.

Here are two things that EDO's could do to help. State and local economic development organizations should: 1) deepen existing manufacturing tax credits to expanding and locating manufacturers; and 2) start new initiatives to identify and develop next generation manufacturing jobs. If manufacturers are having difficulty attracting workers, especially young people, into manufacturing, then they need to redesign jobs to make them more attractive. I am not convinced that companies have done what they can in this regard.

Link.