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Community Update
November 2025
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MSSC & Reshoring Initiative Call for Expanded Career Pathways in Federal Policy
MSSC and the Reshoring Initiative submitted formal joint-comments to the U.S. Department of Education on its proposed new Supplemental Priority on Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness. In our joint comments, we urge federal leaders to adopt skills-based, demand-driven education models that prepare learners for high-wage, high-growth careers in advanced manufacturing and related fields. This includes elevating industry-recognized certifications and apprenticeships alongside traditional degrees, embedding hands-on work-based learning throughout the education continuum, and expanding employer-led partnerships that directly connect students and schools to real career opportunities. Read our full comments here.
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MSSC Fall 2025 High School Video Contest
Don’t forget — MSSC’s Fall 2025 High School Manufacturing Video Contest, “What Manufacturing Means to Us,” is now open! This nationwide competition invites high school students in grades 9–12 to produce original videos that celebrate the exciting world of advanced manufacturing and its diverse career pathways. Submissions are due January 4, 2026, with cash prizes, CPT 4.0 course licenses, and instructor training packages awarded to the top three winners, plus a UberEats gift card for all participating teams. More information can be found here.
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Business Roundtable Releases New Report on Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing
Last month Business Roundtable released Revitalizing American Manufacturing, a report outlining the current challenges facing U.S. manufacturers and the policies needed to strengthen the nation’s industrial base. The report notes that while the United States remains the world’s second-largest manufacturer, the sector has seen stagnant output, workforce declines and growing foreign competition over the past two decades. It identifies five areas for action—tax policy, permitting and regulation, trade, energy and infrastructure, and workforce development—and includes case studies from key industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive, critical minerals and food processing. The report emphasizes that with targeted policy changes, the U.S. can expand production capacity, improve supply chain resilience and support long-term economic security.
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WSJ Editorial Board Responds to Ford’s Warning on Skilled Mechanic Shortages
In response to remarks by Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley in a podcast saying that he can’t find enough skilled mechanics to run his auto plants—including 5,000 unfilled mechanic positions that pay about $120,000 a year—the WSJ Editorial Board penned an opinion piece highlighting wider shortages across U.S. skilled trades. Citing labor data, the board notes that more than one million critical jobs in fields such as emergency services, trucking, factory work, and the trades remain open, and that only 114,000 Americans in their 20s completed vocational programs last year compared with 1.24 million earning four-year degrees. Small business surveys also show that one-third of employers have jobs they cannot fill and nearly half report few or no qualified applicants, underscoring ongoing gaps between workforce needs and the supply of skilled workers.
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WAPO: “An old manufacturing city sputters back to life”
Once a symbol of New England’s industrial decline, Bridgeport, Connecticut, is showing signs of a surprising comeback. A growing mix of advanced manufacturers, small artisanal shops, and a revitalized workforce pipeline is injecting new life into the city’s long-dormant factory districts. With companies moving into refurbished industrial spaces, training programs rapidly expanding, and new housing rising along the waterfront, Bridgeport is emerging as an unexpected model for how an old manufacturing hub can reinvent itself. This story takes a closer look at the people, companies, and economic forces driving the city’s quiet resurgence. Read the article here.
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Deloitte Releases 2026 Manufacturing Workforce Outlook
Deloitte has released its 2026 Manufacturing Industry Outlook, providing an overview of key factors expected to shape the US manufacturing sector in the coming year. The report examines trends such as investments in smart manufacturing technologies, changes in global supply chains, shifts in manufacturing investment driven by data centers and semiconductors, and developments in aftermarket services. It also outlines evolving workforce needs, noting increasing skill requirements and continued competition for qualified talent. These findings offer useful context for organizations involved in manufacturing training and workforce development, particularly as they assess how to prepare workers for more advanced, technology-enabled roles.
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Committee Explores Strategies to Grow Apprenticeships Nationwide
A recent Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on expanding apprenticeships highlighted opportunities to strengthen workforce pipelines in industries facing persistent skills gaps, including manufacturing. Witnesses emphasized the need to reduce administrative barriers that limit employer participation and called for more flexible, competency-based models that align training with rapidly changing technical needs. Representing the Manufacturing Institute, Chief Program Officer Gardner Carrick underscored the importance of modernizing the federal Registered Apprenticeship program, noting that manufacturers need employer-led, skills-driven frameworks like the MI’s FAME program to meet rising demand for advanced technical talent. Senators also discussed expanding pre-apprenticeships in high schools, improving coordination with CTE programs, and leveraging new funding tools to support hands-on training. The hearing reinforced bipartisan recognition that scaling high-quality apprenticeships will be essential to addressing manufacturing workforce shortages and supporting U.S. competitiveness. Read AACC’s coverage of the hearing here.
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Federal Funding Uncertainty Puts MEP Programs at Risk for 2026
Per a report by IndustryWeek, the Trump Administration has announced plans to end federal funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program in 2026, and several state MEP centers have not yet received scheduled 2025 payments. NIST communications indicate that the program is being evaluated for a potential phase-out as part of a shift in priorities, despite Congress having previously allocated funding for the upcoming year. It is important to note that any formal cancellation of the MEP program would require Congressional action, and Congress has historically shown strong bipartisan support for MEP over the years.
MEPs operate in all 50 states and provide support services to small and mid-sized manufacturers, including training, certifications, and assistance with technology and process improvements. Some centers have begun reducing staff in response to the funding delays, while industry groups and state representatives underscore that MEPs have long played a significant role in helping manufacturers increase capacity, adopt new tools, and improve operations.
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Inclusive Hiring Strategy Boosts Productivity at Jergens Inc.
Jergens Inc., a Cleveland-based manufacturer, has addressed ongoing labor shortages by building talent pipelines for individuals often excluded from traditional hiring, including students with disabilities and formerly incarcerated individuals. Beginning in 2013 with a partnership that brought vocational education students into the facility for hands-on training, the company expanded inclusive hiring through programs like CEVEC and ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers. These initiatives have increased productivity by 20% over five years, reduced turnover costs—estimated at $35,000 per replaced employee—and created a reliable, engaged workforce. Jergens’ model has since influenced other regional manufacturers, demonstrating that structured training, mentorship, and long-term support can strengthen talent pipelines and improve retention across the industry. Read more about their initiatives here.
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DoED Announces New Senior Leadership Appointments
The Department of Education announced the confirmations of several senior education leaders, including Kirsten Baesler as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education and David Barker as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. Read the announcement here. Richard Lucas was separately announced as the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid. Read the announcement here.
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House Holds Hearing to Examine CTE Innovations and Federal Oversight
The House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on 11/19 titled “From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Skills through CTE,” featuring witnesses from industry, education, and policy organizations. Discussions centered on aligning CTE programs with local workforce needs, with witnesses emphasizing the importance of industry-informed program design and emerging technologies. Panelists also highlighted innovative CTE models, including Western Michigan Aviation Academy’s talent pipelines that have enabled nearly 200 students to earn private pilot licenses and 27 to obtain commercial drone certifications. While Republicans focused on local relevance and industry partnerships, Democrats raised concerns about the ongoing Interagency Agreement shifting CTE administration from ED to DOL, which witnesses criticized as confusing and misaligned with CTE’s educational mission. A recording of the hearing is available. Read more here.
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Education Commission of the States: 2025 Elections and Changes to State Education Leadership
Each election brings not only new leaders but also key appointments that shape education policymaking at the state and local levels. The Education Commission of the States (ECS) tracks state-level elections each cycle to monitor how these shifts influence education leadership. ECS has developed a one-pager that captures the results of the 2025 elections and provides a preview of what to expect in next year’s midterm elections. See it here.
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Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Website
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