Community Update

October 2025

Celebrating Manufacturing Month: Building Skills, Strengthening Communities

As we wrap up Manufacturing Month, we celebrate the people, innovation, and partnerships that continue to power one of America’s most vital industries. MSSC is proud to help close the manufacturing skills gap through its Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0+ program, which equips learners with the technical and human skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce. By working alongside educators, employers, and community organizations, MSSC ensures that learners of all backgrounds can access meaningful career pathways in advanced manufacturing—strengthening local economies and shaping a more inclusive, resilient workforce for the future.

Listen - "A nonprofit organization in central Kentucky offers vocational training for recovering addicts"

MSSC Leadership Council member and S.P.A.R.C. Recovery Chief Executive Officer Jeric DeVore was recently featured in a Public Radio piece highlighting their program in Russell Springs. The nonprofit provides individuals in recovery with manufacturing and welding training, incorporating Certified Production Technician (CPT) curriculum to prepare them for meaningful employment. Unlike most programs, it offers 90 days of vocational and recovery support, helping participants achieve long-term success in both life and the workplace. Listen to the piece here.

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.

Growing Role of AI in Manufacturing



Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping U.S. manufacturing, with adoption expected to reach near-universal levels within two years. According to recent studies by the Manufacturing Leadership Council and the National Association of Manufacturers, AI/Machine Learning now ranks as the top technology addressing the labor shortage—boosting efficiency, safety, product design, and supply chain performance. A majority of manufacturers report lower costs and improved operational visibility after implementation. The Administration’s AI Action Plan and America’s Talent Strategy emphasize the urgent need to equip workers with the skills to thrive in AI-driven environments. In response, MSSC—long recognized as the nation’s Gold Standard in certifying front-line manufacturing technicians—has convened an AI Study Group led by Leo Reddy to identify the essential AI skills and competencies needed by front-line production technicians. This effort will guide the expansion of MSSC’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) program and ensure U.S. workers remain competitive in an increasingly automated, data-driven manufacturing landscape. Read Leo's Quality Magazine article on this effort.

Manufacturing Day 2025: A Skilled Workforce Should Be the Nation’s First Priority

In recognition of Manufacturing Day 2025, Reshoring Initiative founder Harry Moser calls for making skilled workforce development the nation’s top priority. Moser highlights how U.S. education continues to prioritize four-year degrees over technical training, leaving a widening skills gap that threatens manufacturing competitiveness. With over 3.8 million manufacturing jobs projected to open in the next decade—and more than half at risk of going unfilled—he urges expanded investment in apprenticeships, certifications, and career-connected learning. Moser notes that reshoring momentum is strong, with more than 2 million manufacturing jobs announced since 2010, but sustained growth depends on worker quality and availability. He also emphasizes that certificate and technical training programs provide strong economic returns, with skilled technicians earning $50,000–$80,000 annually. Building awareness, rebranding “middle-skill” careers, and elevating technical education are essential steps toward restoring America’s manufacturing edge. Read the IndustryWeek article here.

ED Pushes Workforce Readiness as a Priority

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed adding career pathways and workforce readiness to its list of discretionary grant priorities, aiming to direct more federal funding toward programs that align education with workforce needs. The plan, announced by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, focuses on expanding apprenticeships, identifying industry-recognized credentials, supporting skilled trades, and creating digital platforms to connect job seekers with employers. Workforce and education groups welcomed the proposal but raised questions about funding levels, implementation, and inclusivity for underrepresented populations. Read the Inside HigherEd article here.

Skilled Workforce Identified as the Key to U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence

The 2025 USA Reshoring Survey, conducted by the Reshoring Initiative and Regions Recruiting among 500 U.S. manufacturers, found that the most critical factor for accelerating U.S. reindustrialization is workforce development. While respondents cited the need to level the cost playing field, apply total cost of ownership (TCO) principles, and prepare for geopolitical risk, the survey concluded that a sufficient quantity and quality of U.S. workforce would bring back more manufacturing than any other option surveyed—including tariffs, a lower U.S. dollar, lower tax rates, and fewer regulations.


The report also highlighted that only 30% of manufacturers currently use TCO in sourcing decisions, though broader adoption could reshore up to $200 billion in production without government subsidies or trade disruptions. Additionally, 45% of OEMs cited locating manufacturing near engineering teams as a top reshoring driver, emphasizing the benefits of close collaboration and faster delivery. Policymakers were encouraged to focus on expanding skilled training programs, strengthening apprenticeship opportunities, and realigning education funding to better support trade and technical careers—key steps toward sustaining the nation’s manufacturing resurgence. Read the full article here.

To Move or Not to Move? Manufacturers Hesitant to Nearshore Before USMCA Review

As the U.S. prepares for the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), many manufacturers remain cautious about shifting operations within North America. While some firms are benefiting from tariff exemptions by ensuring USMCA compliance, others are reluctant to make major moves amid uncertainty over future trade rules. The U.S. currently imposes tariffs of up to 35% on noncompliant imports from Canada and Mexico, prompting companies such as Stanley Black & Decker to maximize compliance and shift production from China to Mexico. However, fluctuating tariffs, complex rules of origin, and potential revisions to the trade deal have “frozen” many supply chain decisions, according to trade experts. Read the full ManufacturingDive article here.

New Head of OSHA Confirmed by Senate

David Keeling has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new Assistant Secretary of Labor leading the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Keeling, who previously served as Amazon’s Director of Road and Transportation Safety and spent 36 years with UPS in various safety leadership roles, assumes the position as OSHA advances a federal heat safety regulation requiring employers to provide water, rest, and shade. In his confirmation hearing, Keeling emphasized prioritizing input from frontline workers and modernizing OSHA’s outdated systems through improved data collection and technology. Safety organizations such as the National Safety Council and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have praised his appointment, citing his extensive experience in workplace safety, while some advocacy groups remain cautious about his industry background and its potential influence on regulatory priorities. Read more here.

Born Digital, Built Industrial: Why Gen Z Is the Perfect Fit for Smart Manufacturing

A new report from the World Economic Forum highlights how Generation Z’s digital fluency, AI literacy, and collaborative mindset align perfectly with the needs of smart manufacturing. As automation accelerates and experienced workers retire, manufacturers worldwide are turning to Gen Z to fill critical talent gaps. The article notes that combining digital skills with hands-on technical training through apprenticeships, micro-credentials, and mentorships can turn Gen Z’s strengths into industrial productivity. The report urges manufacturers to reimagine recruitment, training, and career progression to attract and retain young talent, emphasizing inclusive workforce strategies that bridge geographic and educational divides while ensuring manufacturing remains resilient, equitable, and competitive in the digital era. Read the report here.

Senate Confirms New Leaders at ED



On Oct. 7, the Senate voted to confirm Kimberly Richey as the next Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at ED. In addition to Richey, the Senate confirmed other Education and Labor Department nominees as part of a resolution that approved over 100 federal nominees at once, including Kristen Baesler from North Dakota as assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education, overseeing federal K-12 functions, and David Barker from Iowa as assistant secretary of postsecondary education. You can read the full list of nominations here.  

The Components of Effective CTE Programs 

EdResearch for Action recently released a brief identifying six key components of effective Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs based on extensive research and evidence. These include structured and accessible pathways—where students completing three or more aligned courses see the best outcomes—and meaningful work-based learning experiences that align with student interests and career goals. Strong partnerships between CTE programs, employers, and colleges enhance college and career opportunities, while recruiting and supporting teachers with industry expertise helps address shortages and improve instruction. Additionally, providing students with exploration and advising opportunities increases engagement and reduces misplacement, and ensuring equity and access helps include historically underrepresented groups. The brief also offers a  self-assessment tool for schools to evaluate alignment with these best practices, which closely reflect the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework® and self-evaluation. 

Falling Behind: How Skills Shortages Threaten Future Jobs 



Falling Behind: How Skills Shortages Threaten Future Jobs explores the causes and magnitude of anticipated skills shortages through at least 2032. The report, published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, also examines potential strategies to address impending skills shortages and mitigate their economic impacts. Read the full report at Falling Behind: How Skills Shortages Threaten Future Jobs - CEW Georgetown

DOL Awards Over $86 Million to Support Skills Training Programs



The Labor Department awarded over $86 million to 14 states to support skills training programs in high-demand industries. The funding will be primarily used to address skilled trades needs such as AI, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, and welding.