ZURICH—A global survey conducted by ABB has revealed that a significant workforce education gap could derail efforts by U.S. and European manufacturers to reshore or near-shore operations to build resilience in the face of global challenges.

In my June column, I described the magnitude of the skilled workforce problem and some efforts by industry and associations to overcome the problem. This month, I will talk about what federal and state governments are doing to help, and I’ll offer one simple, no-cost, government action that must be implemented immediately.

Training the next generation of manufacturing workers is essential to the success of U.S. manufacturing and the economy. A recent McKinsey study found that restoring growth and competitiveness in 16 key manufacturing industries could boost annual U.S. GDP by more than 15 percent.

When a recent survey asked manufacturers to list their biggest challenges, 83 percent said "attracting and retaining a quality workforce." Only supply chain disruptions and rising material costs ranked higher. Indeed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturers had 858,000 unfilled jobs in November 2021. And the problem is only going to get worse.

PLANO, TX—Toyota Motor North America has launched a virtual education program that enables e-learning students to consider pursuing a career in manufacturing.

DETROIT—Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT) has joined a new national organization that hopes to forge a more racially inclusive future for manufacturing.