Supply Chain Talent Development: Calling on High Schools to Do More

Technological innovations are offering new growth opportunities for the manufacturing sector. However, according to a report by ThomasNet.com, a lack of talent from “rising generations” threatens its future vitality.

Three out of four respondents (73 percent) to ThomasNet.com’s Industry Market Barometer® (IMB) believe that negative perceptions about manufacturing careers are deterring young people from entering the industry. The hard truth is that these perceptions along with changes in workforce demographics threaten the future growth of manufacturing and the supply chain.

Many manufacturers have developed creative partnerships with schools to engage their “best and brightest,” and they consider educators the ray of hope for their future. They are calling on high schools to offer more skills training and to increase their emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

For the manufacturing sector to benefit most in this era of innovation, this is the time for those who love the industry to step up efforts to share their passion with the next generation.

MHI is part of this effort with high school and community college programming in conjunction with our Technical Career Education Program (TCEP). Visit the TCEP web site or contact Carmen Murphy for more information and to get involved.

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