In the United States, a weak manufacturing infrastructure in conjunction with weak workforce demographics undercuts our national defense. It creates a situation where military readiness, national resiliency and global competitiveness all hang in the balance. Having a much larger, well-staffed U.S. manufacturing industry is, therefore, needed to provide the workforce our defense industry needs.
Consider the benefits of a civilian industry that can quickly convert to produce military materiel, if needed. As an example, my father worked for Singer Sewing Machines, but during WWII, his department produced bomb sights. Today, in an era of of intense global competition, U.S. workforce development and manufacturing infrastructure must be treated as top national priorities.
U.S. infrastructure issues have grown due to climate change, a sputtering innovation ecosystem and the rise of China. Climate-resilient infrastructure is vital to respond to disruption caused by climate change conditions. New research from the Science & Technology Action Committee, a group of non-profit, academic, foundation and corporate leaders, shows that the United States is falling behind in the race for global leadership in science and technology due to the need for a stronger K-12 educational system.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower believed infrastructure was essential to a strong national defense. “A modern, efficient highway system is essential to meet the needs of our growing population, our expanding economy and our national security,” he said.
While he was absolutely correct at the time, I believe a far higher priority should be placed on manufacturing infrastructure than on transportation. In the case of war, our transportation system would be quite adequate. However, it’s generally agreed that we would run out of artillery shells and missiles in a few weeks despite a current multi-year plan to double production.
The biggest challenge
Senior military officials say their No. 1 challenge is hiring and retaining skilled employees. The Navy’s shipyards report that it is next to impossible to find the pipe fitters, plumbers and welders needed for repairs and maintenance. In 2022, the Navy had a shortage of 1,200 civilian-sector employees.
Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, advocates for a robust U.S. shipyard industrial base. Paxton told the House Armed Services Committee that the biggest challenge the nation’s private shipyards face is the ability to attract and retain a proficient workforce with a single government customer.
Advanced manufacturing is crucial to our defense industry and a skilled workforce is critical to these industrial processes. To this end, the Department of Defense operates nine of the 17 Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII). The DOD’s MIIs are engaged in advancing research and development, growing our manufacturing ecosystems, and providing education and workforce development.
Revitalization strategy
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) invests approximately $350 billion in repairing and rebuilding America’s roads and bridges and is the largest investment since President Eisenhower’s investment in the interstate highway system. The legislation includes more than $800 million in dedicated investments for workforce development. One advantage of the bill is its impact on our production of needed steel, machinery and other construction material.
In addition to BIL funds, state and local governments, employers, unions, community colleges, and other training providers and stakeholders can leverage federal funding to support workforce development in infrastructure sectors.
By way of the CHIPS and Science Act, the Commerce Department is overseeing $50 billion to revitalize the U.S. semiconductor industry, with $200 million in appropriated resources allotted for a workforce and training fund. The aim is for semiconductor companies to work with high schools and community colleges to train 100,000 new technicians through apprenticeships, career and technical education, and career pathway programs over 10 years. In total, companies have announced $231 billion in commitments in semiconductor and electronics investments.
A national mind shift
Creating a talent pipeline of skilled workers is critical to reshoring and is the No. 1 criterion for U.S. manufacturing site selection. I believe a national mind shift is needed for achieving success by promoting skills-based education and demonstrated proficiency as a pathway to the high-paying, new-collar careers of the future.
I suggest accurately displaying the career advantages of apprenticeships versus degrees. There are many postings on the Departments of Education and Labor websites extolling the unique value of degrees. The postings show income rising with the number of degrees and often have headings such as, “Bachelor’s degree yields $1 million more lifetime income than a high school degree.”
But the figures never show that apprentice graduates have incomes comparable to bachelor’s degree holders. And about half of the “$1 million income” is lost when adjusted for tuition costs, being able to start earning 4 to 5 years sooner, and the socio-economic background of the worker.
According to a report from Jobs For The Future, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve broader equitable economic advancement, 81 percent of employers think they should be hiring based on skills rather than degree. Recently, companies like Google, IBM, Accenture and others are putting greater emphasis on skills and dropping some degree requirements when hiring.
As seen in the midst of U.S. labor market challenges, employers are being motivated to adopt skills-based hiring. According to a recent Harvard Business Review study, this “reset” could have major implications for how employers recruit new talent. When companies eliminate a degree requirement, many stipulate specific soft skills such as written and oral communications, self-discipline and the ability to participate effectively in unfamiliar groups.
Military readiness, national resiliency, global competitiveness and continued reshoring success all require a resilient infrastructure and a larger, well-staffed U.S. manufacturing industry. Let’s collaborate to support skilled workforce development and rebuild the U.S. manufacturing base. For help or to help, contact me at (847) 867-1144 or harry.moser@reshorenow.org.
