In order to be part of the manufacturing sector, people need a better understanding of the industry, according to Carolyn Lee, president and executive director, The Manufacturing Institute.

WorkingNation sat down with Lee at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2022 in Beverly Hills.

“Manufacturing jobs are great-paying jobs and modern manufacturing is an exciting field to be in,” says Lee.

“But we have two problems that we’re facing. We don’t have enough people who are aware of the opportunity. The other challenge is that people who are looking for jobs today don’t necessarily have the skills we need. So, we first have to attract them and then we need to train them to make sure they’re able to access these upwardly mobile manufacturing careers.”

She says the coming together of stakeholders can strengthen the talent pipeline. “The strongest opportunity we’ve seen for success is partnership between the local business community, the education community – community colleges, as well as K-12.”

“And then, of course, your business, uh, enablers, right? The workforce boards, the economic development entities, the local chambers, and manufacturing associations to come together and build a cooperative, a partnership.”

Learn more about The Manufacturing Institute.