UNLOCKING HUMAN POTENTIAL TO EMPOWER MANUFACTURING
EMPOWERING MANUFACTURING
SME is driving solutions through collaboration with manufacturers, educators, and workforce agencies.
Key initiatives include the Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge, addressing the skills gap by training thousands at community colleges, and SME PRIME, which builds custom manufacturing programs in high schools.
Jeannine Kunz Chief Executive Officer, SME
As SME’s new CEO, I reflect on 25 years of industry evolution, from emerging technologies to the enduring need for skilled talent. While manufacturing has embraced advancements like AI, IIoT, and smart factories, workforce development remains critical.
Partnerships with BlueForge Alliance support defense manufacturing, while collaborations with SkillsUSA and the Smartforce Student Summit engage early talent. The Ready to Hire program strengthens the talent pipeline, and AI is being integrated to enhance workforce efforts.
SME is also focusing on the EV sector, working with The White House and key stakeholders to develop specialized training. National security remains a priority, with SME contributing to defense workforce strategies and recognizing excellence through the Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Awards.
Looking ahead, SME is launching FUSION 2025, a workforce development summit, and a new Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow minicast series. These initiatives underscore SME’s commitment to building a resilient, future-ready manufacturing workforce.
It’s a pivotal time to be in manufacturing – and at SME. I am excited about what lies ahead for this industry and our role in shaping its future. I look forward to working with you to do that.
The Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge
MEETING THE WORKFORCE PIPELINE CHALLENGE
One year into its mission, the SME Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) has partnerships with 25 innovative colleges and a four-sector strategy that is working to add 75,000 students to the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.
While helping to launch new approaches to the traditional K-12 pipeline, the MI – WPC team is also looking at how to promote rewarding, in-demand career paths to traditionally underserved communities — including veterans, justiceinvolved individuals, home-schooled students, reskilled workers, late-entry learners and immigrants — as well as others in the region who have previously not been made aware of the opportunities available through manufacturing.
Industry partnerships are also playing a significant role in the work of the MI-WPC – helping to determine new programs, aligning workforce supply with demand, and anticipating market changes that will impact future needs.
WPC HIGHLIGHTS
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKFORCE PIPELINE CHALLENGE
Uniquely Abled Project
UNIQUELY ABLED PROJECT DELIVERS SKILLED EMPLOYEES TO
MANUFACTURERS
The Uniquely Abled Project (UAP), a key SME partner, is tackling the skilled labor shortage by training autistic individuals for high-demand roles in manufacturing, with a strong focus on CNC and robotics.
Since 2021, UAP has expanded to 24 academies, graduated 230 individuals, and achieved placement rates as high as 90%, far exceeding industry norms. The 16-week CNC training program transforms lives, offering students a sense of belonging and opening new career paths.
Now these individuals don’t just have a future, they have a great future.”
- Ivan M. Rosenberg, Ph.D. & founder of UAP
A new robotics program, launched in 2023 in collaboration with Tooling U-SME, Universal Robots, and several other partners, provides students with SME Robotics in Manufacturing Fundamentals (RMF) Certification and Universal Robots’ Core Certificate. All 12 graduates of the program’s first two cohorts successfully earned their certifications, with half continuing on to CNC training and securing jobs.
With demand growing, UAP plans to expand into additional vocations and serve a broader range of neurodiverse individuals. Employers report increased productivity, morale, and enthusiasm after hiring UAP graduates, and SME’s Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) certification will soon be incorporated into the program.
Looking ahead, UAP aims to train 5,000 individuals over the next five years, offering both companies and workers a brighter future while addressing the manufacturing industry’s skilled labor shortage.
Montana
FIRST REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN MONTANA BUILDS WORKFORCE
Faced with an expanding manufacturing industry that was experiencing workforce shortages, the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) turned to an old idea – Apprenticeships.
Recognizing that many of their manufacturers were unfamiliar with apprenticeship models, they partnered with Tooling-U SME and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry to develop a Certified Manufacturing Associate Apprenticeship. This Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program combines online classes, on-the-job training (OJT), and nationally recognized credentials to create career pathways and help manufacturers build a skilled workforce.
American Chemet was the first company to pilot the program in 2023, with 12 employees completing 25 online classes and 2,000 hours of OJT. Participants earned Certified Manufacturing
Since we implemented the apprenticeship program, turnover has gone down significantly, especially with new employees in their first 6 to 12 months.”
- Jill Bollier, Human Resources Director, American Chemet
Associate credentials and apprentice certificates, boosting retention and reducing turnover. Turnover among new hires within six months dropped by 35%, and 90% of program graduates remained with the company beyond a year.
The program’s success led to a second cohort in 2024 and plans for a third in 2025. Apprentices also mentor new participants, fostering engagement and morale. MMEC aims to expand this proven model across Montana, helping other manufacturers address workforce challenges while enhancing career opportunities in the industry.
Dayton Region Manufacturers Association
REGIONAL OHIO MANUFACTURERS TEAM UP TO TACKLE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
By championing certifications, DRMA underscores the value of lifelong learning and skills development in securing rewarding manufacturing careers.
The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) has been supporting manufacturers for over a century, and today, it plays a crucial role in addressing the industry’s workforce shortages through its Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs). These industry-led, locally driven collaborations unite manufacturers, educators, and workforce organizations to develop tailored workforce solutions.
Through a $23.5 million Good Jobs Challenge grant, OMA is working with manufacturers to address the demand for 25,000+ hires over five years.
The Dayton Region Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (DRMWP), a key ISP, received $930,000 to implement the WorkAdvance model, which recruits and trains individuals from untapped talent pools. DRMWP also partnered with Tooling U-SME to provide Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) training, helping participants earn industry-recognized credentials at no cost.
Beyond training, DRMA fosters workforce development through networking and career awareness programs, including HR Meetups, career fairs, and Manufacturing Day tours, which connect students and educators with real-world manufacturing experiences. DRMA also collaborates with educational institutions to align curricula with industry needs and integrate key manufacturing certifications.
By expanding training programs, strengthening partnerships, and promoting manufacturing careers, OMA and DRMA are building a skilled workforce to sustain Ohio’s manufacturing industry.
New Century Careers
BUILDING A DIVERSE AND SKILLED WORKFORCE IN MANUFACTURING
After his release from prison, Terry Cousins discovered a flyer for New Century Careers (NCC) while at a halfway house. Determined to change his future, he applied, aced the entrance exam with a record-high score, and enrolled in NCC’s M2K program.
Terry’s dedication led to a job at True Position Inc., a defense and aerospace manufacturing company, where he completed a four-year Registered Machinist Apprenticeship Program and earned his journeyman certificate. Now a lead CNC programmer, Terry plays a key role in producing components for U.S. Navy Columbia-class submarines.
One of his greatest contributions was automating the machining process for aluminum weldments, reducing production time from 30 minutes to just 90 seconds—a game-changing improvement. As a result, he now trains new hires and plays a crucial role in talent development at True Position.
His success story highlights the power of second chances, skills training, and determination, proving that talent and dedication can come from any background.
When it comes to finding, evaluating, and training talent, keep your eyes, hearts, and minds open to whatever background somebody might come from because they can offer you a lot of skill and dedication and build you as they build themselves.”
- Jason Spudic, Vice President, True Position Inc
Watch Terry Cousins speak at tuX 2024
Beckett Thermal Solutions
FAMILY BUSINESS VALUES: INVESTING IN WORKFORCE TRAINING
Beckett Thermal Solutions is committed to workforce development and career growth for its employees, guided by core values of integrity, excellence, and respect for individuals. The company, headquartered in North Ridgeville, Ohio, employs 450 people in the U.S. and 160 in the U.K. and has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions.
To invest in its workforce, Beckett Thermal launched the Beckett Performance Academy, offering structured career pathways. This initiative began with the SME Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) certification, provided through Tooling U-SME in partnership with Lorain County Community College. Employees received paid study time, and many have since been promoted or continued training.
When the company invests in their people, it gives them the confidence to say, ‘I’m worthy of doing other jobs. I can do other things; I can become a supervisor.’”
- Denise Fritz, Beckett Performance Academy Member
Recognizing the value of internal training and online learning, Beckett Performance Academy is expanding to include tracks in leadership, product development, and manufacturing engineering. The company prioritizes promotion from within, identifying employees’ hidden talents and skills.
For employees like Denise Fritz, who started as a production worker and advanced to training coordinator, internal development programs boost confidence and create advancement opportunities. Beckett Thermal sees workforce training not just as a business strategy but as a way to give back, helping employees achieve long-term career growth while strengthening the company’s future.
Beckett’s Four Guiding Principles:
• Walk in humility
• Help others thrive
• Foster a “make-it-happen” attitude
• Create an energetic and uplifting environment
The Navajo Nation
LEARNING, WELLBEING, AND PEACE – THE NAVAJO WAY
The Navajo Nation, or Diné Bizaad, values self-reliance but faces challenges such as limited infrastructure, economic opportunities, and access to education. With a median household income of $33,578 and 35.5% of the population living in poverty, career pathways, especially in STEM and advanced manufacturing, are crucial for future growth.
40+ students earned
engineering and manufacturing-related degrees since 2020
Navajo Technical University (NTU) in Crownpoint, NM, is addressing this need through its Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM), launched in 2020 with a $3.5 million NSF grant. CAM offers cutting-edge metal additive manufacturing (AM) training, utilizing 3D printing, CNC machining, and materials testing. NTU integrates Tooling U-SME’s workforce training programs and has awarded over 40 engineering and manufacturing degrees since 2020.
While many graduates leave for jobs at Intel, Air Force Research Lab, and Army Research Lab, NTU is working to develop local industry. Partnering with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, NTU is securing internships and R&D projects to create on-reservation employment opportunities. The university is also positioning itself as a vendor/contractor for these labs, aiming to attract manufacturing companies and expand economic opportunities within the Navajo Nation.
Drew Crowe
FROM INCARCERATION TO INDUSTRY LEADER: DREW CROWE’S JOURNEY
Once a teenage father and twice-convicted felon, Drew Crowe, overcame immense challenges to become a respected leader in the American manufacturing industry.
After serving his sentence, Crowe faced overwhelming financial obligations, including probation fees and restitution payments, making it nearly impossible to rebuild his life. Finding employment as a justice-impacted individual was another hurdle—many companies refused to hire him, and those that did lacked flexibility for required parole meetings. Despite these barriers, Crowe’s work ethic and determination earned him opportunities to advance.
We’re not just building things in manufacturing. We’re building people. We’re building communities. We’re building whole countries.
Starting with no experience, Crowe moved up from machinist to programmer, shift lead, and mentor, breaking a generational cycle. His success inspired his children, with his eldest now pursuing engineering.
He sees manufacturing as more than just an industry—it’s a way to build communities and change lives.
Crowe now works to educate employers on the benefits of hiring justice-impacted individuals,
emphasizing that they are often loyal, hardworking, and eager to prove themselves.
He highlights the $78-$87 billion potential boost to the U.S. GDP if more employment opportunities were available to this workforce.
Crowe’s message is clear: giving second chances isn’t charity—it’s smart business. His success is proof that, when given opportunities, justice-impacted individuals work hard, stay committed, and uplift entire communities. His advocacy is paving the way for a more inclusive, thriving workforce in manufacturing.
Incarceration Statistics:
• 1.8 million Americans are currently incarcerated and 650,000 are released annually
• One in every 20 people in the US will serve time
• 44% of former inmates are rearrested within year one of their release; and 68% are rearrested within three years
• 43% less likely to re-offend if participating in Prison Education Programs
• $45,771 annual cost per inmate
Addressing workforce challenges is critical to sustaining growth and innovation in today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.
The following articles highlight groundbreaking initiatives and success stories from across the nation, showcasing how diverse organizations and communities are tackling the skilled labor shortage, promoting inclusivity, and building the talent pipeline of tomorrow.
Each article offers valuable insights and inspiration, proving that a collaborative, forward-thinking approach can create sustainable solutions for workforce development in manufacturing. Dive in to learn more about the programs, partnerships, and people driving meaningful change in the industry.
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