McKinsey Talks Talent US manufacturing’s next test: Building a workforce for a new era
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Feb 27, 2026 Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director of the Manufacturing Institute, leads national efforts to grow manufacturing talent through training and apprenticeships. She discusses persistent talent shortages, rethinking recruitment and early outreach, using automation to upskill not replace workers, flexible work-design, and scaling regional partnerships and apprenticeship programs to build career pathways.
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Manufacturing Has Jobs But Not Skilled Workers
- Manufacturing employment has remained ~13 million and is rising since COVID, but there is a structural skills shortage.
- Carolyn Lee says the core problem is public perception and lack of people with needed skills despite job growth.
True Worker Need Is Twice The Headcount Gap
- Total workforce need equals open roles plus replacements and upskilling demand, roughly twice what many estimate.
- Brooke Weddle notes replacement and reskilling drivers double the true addressable worker market.
Ask Workers First Before Redesigning Schedules
- Ask employees what flexibility they want and design scheduling options accordingly, including shifted start times and part-time or four-hour shifts.
- Carolyn Lee says pulling the workforce first reveals what options will actually attract and retain talent.