Bridging the employment gap in manufacturing
The manufacturing industry in the Pacific Northwest is experiencing exciting growth, and fantastic opportunities are waiting for the next generation of workers. However, there's a gap between what manufacturers need and the talent pool of potential employees.
To address this problem, Edmonds College and 25 other colleges nationwide are partnering with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) on a groundbreaking initiative called the Manufacturing Imperative—Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC).
The MI-WPC program will foster industry, education, and government collaboration. Together, these partners will develop innovative strategies to attract new talent and help potential employees understand the fulfilling career paths available in manufacturing.
The good news? There's a vast pool of potential workers waiting to be tapped.
Dr. Deb Volzer, the government and workforce partnerships director for SME, estimates that millions of individuals are interested in pursuing careers in manufacturing but need more training or clear pathways.
“You have 35 million individuals – 8 million 18- to 24-year-olds – who don't have a pathway into the industry and are likely raising their hands, saying, ‘I'd like to go back and get additional education and training,’” said Volzer. “But we're not reaching them.”
“So, who better than our community colleges and SME to step up and help solve this?”
Edmonds, the only participating institution west of the Rocky Mountains, is uniquely positioned to connect students with these opportunities. The college will leverage the expertise of SME and collaborate with K-12 and industry partners to develop engaging programs that showcase the benefits of manufacturing careers.
Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell joined Edmonds College staff and faculty, SME leaders,
and other community partners to discuss workforce challenges in the manufacturing
industry. (Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College)
“The manufacturing industry has deep, historical roots in our region and Washington state,” said Edmonds President Dr. Amit B. Singh. “We have been making significant contributions to address the employee shortages in the industry with our programs on campus and at the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center (AMSC) at Paine Field. We are honored to be selected as one of just 25 colleges from around the nation to participate, and we look forward to collaborating with SME and learning from their expertise.”
The MI-WPC program challenges Edmonds to bring 1,000 new individuals into the manufacturing pipeline each year. This ambitious goal will be achieved by focusing on attracting a diverse workforce, including women, minorities, veterans, the justice-involved, and individuals seeking career transitions.
AMSC Executive Director Larry Cluphf leads media and SME staff through a Boeing 767 fuselage during a press conference and tour at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center. (Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College)
AMSC Executive Director Larry Cluphf meets with SME staff and Edmonds President Dr. Amit B. Singh prior to a press conference and tour at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center. (Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College)
Local manufacturing leaders shared their enthusiasm for the industry in a kickoff meeting at the campus, highlighting the strong earning potential and many opportunities available. Leaders noted that some skilled positions can pay upwards of $30 an hour to start, with room for growth. However, they acknowledged that competition for talent is fierce, with some workers attracted to other high-paying sectors.
Volzer acknowledged that the demand to fill jobs is becoming urgent, and the MI-WPC is in place to help alleviate concerns. During the kickoff meeting, she estimated that by 2030, 2.7 million jobs would be left unfilled and cited that $4 trillion would be lost to the U.S. economy if manufacturing industries do not address workforce shortages.
There is hope on the horizon, and colleges like Edmonds are ready to engage and work towards a solution. The kickoff meeting of the MI-WPC program was the first step in bringing together industry giants like Boeing and local manufacturers with educational leaders. This collaboration paves the way for open communication and a shared commitment to building a strong and sustainable workforce for the future.
"This is an exciting opportunity to connect with the community on a local and national level and develop impactful strategies that will benefit everyone involved," said Dr. Volzer. "Together, we can create a thriving manufacturing sector and empower individuals to pursue rewarding careers."