Meeting the Workforce Pipeline Challenge

One year into its mission, the SME Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) has partnered with 25 innovative and industry-driven colleges and has incorporated four sector strategies aimed at meeting the goal of adding 75,000 new students to the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.

25 Colleges in 17 States

Selected for their passion in education, history of innovation, and dedication to meeting the workforce challenge, the participating MI-WPC colleges are expanding facilities, adding new technology, and developing new programs all aimed at meeting the needs of tomorrow’s workforce, including;

• A college in the southeast is creating a degree pathway that combines additive manufacturing, drafting technology and visual communications, giving current students from outside the manufacturing program exposure to new career options.
• In the Midwest, one college has added a “Community Navigator” program. Employees are supported in becoming advocates within their community to promote enrollment. The first navigator increased Hispanic enrollment by 400 students.
• Multiple colleges have developed Maker Spaces, allowing access to equipment by non-students, which creates exposure to alternate career paths that can turn a hobby into a profession.
• One MI-WPC college has a manufacturing career program for homeschooled students, promoted through social media and community outreach that expands their educational opportunities while also promoting these career paths.
• An East Coast college has partnered with local manufacturers to develop an apprenticeship program – meeting the company’s need for right-skilled workers, providing in-demand training, and attracting new talent to the area.
• A college in the northeast has provided on-campus space for their regional Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) allowing small and medium-sized manufacturers to be at the forefront of program and course development.

Four Sector Strategies

As a part of SME’s commitment to the MI-WPC, a dedicated team is focusing on scalable, data-driven and community-responsive strategies in 4 main sectors:

• Demographic and Engagement Insights
  Leveraging real-time demographic and labor market insights to personalize outreach and recruitment, addressing the barriers and preferences of prospective learners through digital ads and AI-powered text messaging.
  
  
• Small to Medium Manufacturer Insight
  Facilitating new engagement methods, and data collection methods to build partnerships that directly benefit the colleges, learners and employers in bridging the skills gap.
  
  
• Community Insight
  Assisting participating colleges in targeting traditionally underserved communities in their region, including veterans, justice-involved individuals, home school, late learners, and immigrant communities.
  
  
• Industry-Driven Hiring
  Creating partnerships between colleges, industry and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to equip learners with in-demand skills and access to programs.

Tooling U SME – Tying It All Together

With active schools and a solid strategy, new and customized class offerings from Tooling U SME have been a major incentive in getting potential learners into programs that give them the skills and certification-ready knowledge that employers need. All 25 schools have access to class offerings providing soft skills for non-traditional students, CMfgA certifications, Dual-Enrollment pathways, program-specific coursework, and more.

In just the first 3 quarters of 2024, more than 1,000 students have completed over 15,000 classes at MI-WPC colleges.

Interested in learning more, or know of a possible industry partner? Please contact Dr. Deb Volzer or Cara Pattison.