MI’s Carolyn Lee Talks Workforce, Education and Training on “MFG Talk Radio”

No matter who you are—a veteran, a student finishing high school, a formerly incarcerated person or anyone else—the manufacturing industry has a place for you, Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee said in a recent episode of the “MFG Talk Radio” podcast.

The hunt for skilled talent: “[W]e have about 450,000 open jobs nearly every month,” Lee told show host Lewis A. Weiss. “So for us, it’s not only, ‘How do we bring in the best and brightest from around the world?’ but also ‘Who’s on the sidelines? Who’s looking for upskilling in their careers?’”

• But filling those open roles is more than just finding the right people. It’s about preparing them for an industry that’s rapidly evolving and equipping them to handle changes on the job.
• That means investing in upskilling so workers can build the skills they need to adapt to new technologies, take on new responsibilities and grow their careers.

• The MI—the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate—helps manufacturers build these in-demand skills within their workforce.

Building talent: The MI’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program, an earn-and-learn training model, is one way manufacturers are growing and developing their workforce. Its employer-led design ensures that each chapter’s curriculum is centered on the specific technical skills those manufacturers need most, ensuring graduates are ready to contribute from day one.

• While primarily training recent high school graduates, FAME is also an upskilling pathway for existing employees looking to advance their technical capabilities.

Changing perceptions: While manufacturing continues to suffer from a misconception problem, Lee told Weiss, another challenge is that many students don’t even know what manufacturing is. “It’s not that we’re having to prove it’s not dirty, dark and dangerous. We’re actually having to explain what the potential is of these jobs,” said Lee.

• The MI’s MFG Day promotes career awareness at an early age, an essential step in building a pipeline of future talent. Held annually on the first Friday in October, MFG Day encourages thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, educators and community leaders, showing students the possibilities of a manufacturing career.

What must be done: The industry must promote skills and career awareness early, invest in apprenticeships and postsecondary training and continually upskill its current workforce so workers’ abilities match the moment.

• That investment benefits manufacturers, too. “The training in and of itself is an indicator to your employees that you care about them, you value them and they have a future with you, which helps you attract and retain the workforce that you need,” said Lee.

Get involved: Upskilling employees and building talent pipelines are just a few of the topics covered at the MI’s 2026 Workforce Summit, the premier event for manufacturing leaders focused on building a resilient workforce.

• From Oct. 26–28 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the manufacturing workforce ecosystem will come together to share and discover tangible solutions for attracting, training and retaining workers. Register today to be part of the dialogue.
• Learn more about the MI’s workforce solutions.

In case you missed it: Check out the MI’s newly launched AI skills training and learn about its multistate roadshow, taking place this week.