On this episode of the Manufacturing Alliance Podcast, Tony Demakis sits down with Justine Ewald of the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) for a conversation centered around one important idea: You get out of the manufacturing community what you are willing to put into it.
Discover how manufacturing associations, education, workforce development, and industry involvement can help build the next generation of skilled manufacturing talent.
Manufacturing Is Stronger When We Get Involved
Manufacturing has always been about more than machines, tooling, technology, and production. At its core, manufacturing is about people.
It is about the experienced professionals willing to share what they have learned. It is about companies willing to open their doors. It is about educators creating opportunities for students. And increasingly, it is about an entire industry working together to show the next generation just how much opportunity exists in modern manufacturing.
Industry Associations Are More Than a Membership
Joining a manufacturing association can provide access to networking, training, resources, events, advocacy, and industry information. But membership alone isn't necessarily where the greatest value comes from. The real value begins when people participate.
Attend the events. Meet other manufacturers. Join a committee. Ask questions. Introduce yourself to someone you don't know. Share the challenges your company is facing. Volunteer. Mentor someone. Visit another facility.
Manufacturing businesses often face many of the same challenges—finding skilled employees, training the next generation, adopting new technology, improving productivity, developing leaders, and growing their businesses.
When manufacturers create stronger relationships with one another, those challenges no longer have to be solved in isolation. That is where organizations like TMA can play an important role: creating opportunities for manufacturers to connect, learn from one another, and strengthen the industry as a whole.
We Have to Show the Next Generation What Manufacturing Really Looks Like
One of the biggest challenges facing manufacturing isn't necessarily a lack of opportunity. It is a lack of exposure. Many young people simply don't know what modern manufacturing looks like. They may never have walked through a CNC machining facility. They may never have watched a mold being built. They may never have seen a fiber laser welding system operating. They may not understand automation, robotics, CAD/CAM programming, additive manufacturing, precision machining, mold making, or the hundreds of other technologies being used every day.
And if students never see those things, how can we expect them to consider manufacturing as a career? The industry has to become more intentional about telling its story. That means manufacturers need to open their doors. Invite students into the shop. Participate in career days. Partner with local high schools. Offer internships and apprenticeships. Create videos and social media content showing what employees actually do.
Most importantly, let young people meet the men and women who are building successful careers in manufacturing. Sometimes seeing someone only a few years older succeeding in the trades can do more to change a student's perception than any presentation ever could.
Manufacturing Education Creates Opportunity
Education is another major part of building the future manufacturing workforce.
The TMA Education Foundation supports programs intended to expand manufacturing education and increase awareness of careers in precision manufacturing. Its initiatives have included support for programs, machinery and equipment, scholarships, career pathways, and opportunities designed to introduce students to manufacturing careers.
That connection between industry and education is incredibly important. Schools can teach students technical skills, but manufacturers can provide context. Manufacturers know which technologies are changing. They know which skills are becoming more valuable. They know what employers expect from new hires. They understand the importance of problem solving, communication, reliability, critical thinking, and hands-on experience.
When educators and manufacturers work together, students can receive training that more closely matches the opportunities waiting for them after graduation. And that helps everyone. Students gain career opportunities. Manufacturers gain access to talent. Schools strengthen their programs. Communities retain skilled workers. The entire manufacturing ecosystem becomes stronger.
Manufacturing Comes in All Shapes and Sizes
Another important theme from the conversation is that there is no single definition of what a manufacturing career looks like.
Manufacturing includes enormous production facilities—but it also includes small family-owned businesses. It includes machinists, mold makers, welders, polishers, toolmakers, engineers, programmers, maintenance technicians, designers, automation specialists, salespeople, marketers, managers, and entrepreneurs.
Someone entering manufacturing today might spend their career running a machine.
They might program robots.
They might design molds.
They might operate advanced 5-axis machining centers.
They might develop automation systems.
They might manage a manufacturing company.
Or they might eventually start one.
That variety is one of manufacturing's greatest strengths, and it is something the industry needs to communicate more effectively. There isn't just one path into manufacturing. There are hundreds.
Building the Workforce Is Everyone's Responsibility
It is easy to talk about the skilled-labor shortage. It is harder to do something about it. Manufacturers cannot expect schools, associations, parents, or government organizations to solve the workforce challenge by themselves. Industry has to participate.
That may mean mentoring a student. It may mean offering an internship. It may mean supporting a manufacturing education program. It may mean donating equipment. It may mean speaking at a school. It may simply mean inviting a group of students into your facility and showing them what modern manufacturing actually looks like.
Small actions multiplied across thousands of manufacturing companies can create enormous change.
You Get Out What You Put In
That applies to associations. It applies to networking. It applies to workforce development. And it applies to the future of American manufacturing. The strength of our industry will depend on manufacturers who are willing to get involved, share knowledge, develop people, support education, and help create opportunities for the generation coming behind them.
The next generation of manufacturing talent is out there. Our responsibility is to help them discover where they fit.