Federal research priorities in manufacturing

A new federal report outlines the top priorities for federal research in manufacturing: hydrogen energy technologies, nanomanufacturing, and intelligent and integrated manufacturing. 

Each of these areas has a potential for job growth and serving broader national interests. 

In addition, the report points out that these three areas of research are interdependent. 

The report, released by the National Science and Technology Council, is designed to highlight areas of manufacturing research that are likely to generate high returns for the national economy. 

You can read more about the report here. 

You can download a copy of the report here. 

The report, starting on page 73, outlines some of the workforce issues facing the future of manufacturing. The authors start by outlining the main conclusions of the 2005 Manufacturing Skills Gap report of the National Association of Manufacturers:

In its 2005 skills gap survey of more than 800 manufacturing businesses, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) found that 81% were experiencing “severe” (13%) or “moderate” (68%) shortages of skilled workers overall, and 90% reported shortages of skilled production  employees.

The report goes on to outline the skills needed by tomorrow's manufacturing workers: 

To operate a modern production facility, manufacturers require workers with adequate preparation in fundamentals such as mathematics, science, reading comprehension, and writing; strong workplace competencies, including computer literacy, teamwork, and critical thinking; and technical competencies in areas such as quality and process control, supply chain management, and integrated production systems. Manufacturing workers may also need to develop specialized skills tailored to specific jobs, industrial needs, and technology requirements...

Manufacturing skills certification is one of several steps toward ensuring an adequate supply of “knowledge technologists,” a term coined by management and quality pioneer Peter Drucker. In future manufacturing operations, as well as in other sectors of the economy, Drucker predicted, workers will continue to engage in manual tasks, but their jobs will require a “substantial amount of theoretical knowledge which can only be acquired through a formal education, not through an apprenticeship.” 

You can download a copy of the report here.