Manufacturing USA Releases New Report Highlighting Technology and Workforce Development Innovations

The Manufacturing USA national network of institutes has released its Manufacturing USA 2019/2020 Highlights Report. The report highlights the 14 institutes that were operational during this timeframe (2 new institutes have since been launched). The report assesses fiscal year 2019, highlighting major accomplishments from each institute but also how the network as a whole has advanced the domestic manufacturing sector. Together, the 14 assessed institutes worked with 1,920 member organizations, conducted 561 major research and development projects, engaged 39,876 students, workers and teachers in advanced manufacturing workforce development and training, and invested $488 million through state, industry, and federal funds.

While the report focuses on fiscal year 2019, it does highlight how the network responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and touches on how it mobilized members to produce PPE when it was most needed and strengthened a stressed domestic supply chain. “A strong manufacturing base and resilient supply chains form the backbone of our economy and national security and are essential to effectively respond to emergencies and national threats – including COVID-19.”

Beyond being agile enough to respond to unique demands as COVID-19 shook the nation and the world, the Manufacturing USA network continued to pursue its overall mission of promoting a skilled, ready manufacturing workforce. Each institute shares specific, tangible examples of how it is working to address the workforce issue in the advanced manufacturing sector. For instance, NIIMBL (National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals) worked with five talented

scientists through its eXperience program. “The program aims to help college students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and underrepresented student populations at NIIMBL member institutions to uncover career opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry.”

In addition to touching on how the network responded to COVID-19 and how the network is working to educate the next generation of skilled manufacturing employees, the report also focuses on the economic impact of the manufacturing sector. “Manufacturing accounts for 11% of U.S. GDP1 and 68% of U.S. exports of goods. Advances in manufacturing technology and innovation enable the U.S. economy to grow, increase productivity, develop new products, and create entirely new industries. Manufacturing – especially advanced manufacturing – is also one of the highest-paying sectors of the economy and has an enormous multiplier effect on other sectors. For every dollar spent in manufacturing, an additional $2.74 is added to the economy.”

For more stories on how each institute is working towards the overall goal of securing U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing through large scale collaboration on technology, supply chain, and workforce development, please reference the full report: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ams/NIST.AMS.600-6.pdf.