As large companies reshore, how to meet the workforce demands?

A recent article in the New York Times, "Nevada Provides Test Case in Debate Over a Skills Gap," by Dionne Searcey, raises important points about and potential solutions for the workforce challenges of labor-intensive reshoring projects.

Tesla, by reshoring lithium battery production from Japan to Nevada and building their now-infamous gigafactory, will ultimately employ a workforce of 6,500 people: this is a potentially-major boon for a state that has had an unemployment rate consistently higher than its neighbors since the recession. 

(Image from Google with data from BLS)

But where will Tesla find these workers?

Festo Didactic Opens Workforce Education Center in NJ

Back in September, we reported on Festo Didactic's plans to bring German-style apprenticeship for manufacturing to the U.S. in order to help alleviate the skills gap manufacturers are seeing across the country, and prevent such a skills gap in future manufacturing generations.

Festo brings much-needed German-style skills training to the U.S.

According to Georgetown labor economist Anthony Carnevale (via the Wall Street Journal), “two million U.S. jobs go unfilled because of shortfalls in skills, training or education.” One German company, Festo, thinks it has the solution: a German-style vocational program that will apprentice students and young professionals to train them in what employers and jobs require for successful careers.

Consider the Skilled Workforce Initiatives put forth by AME

Creating a stronger skilled workforce in America will enable more reshoring. Please see AME's suggestions on the subject by downloading the PDF, or reading below:

3701 Algonquin Road, Suite 225 • Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-3127
Tel. 224-232-5980 • Fax. 224-232-5981
Email: info@ame.org • Website: www. ame.org

Making “Made in the USA” a reality!

To remain relevant as a manufacturing powerhouse, America needs a concerted effort between public educational system, government agencies, and business leaders for the revitalization of manufacturing to occur.  AME Executive Board is proposing a comprehensive plan formulated to shape the future of manufacturing workforce through knowledge and skills development that will help energize America’s economy.

The Reshoring Initiative's Recommendations for a Skilled Workforce

Skilled Workforce Development Program

The Reshoring Initiative believes that skilled workforce is the key to reshoring and manufacturing growth in general. We believe that the key to skilled workforce development is motivating a higher quantity and quality of recruits. We recommend the high impact-minimal cost skilled workforce development programs outlined below and are seeking communities interested in implementing these programs.