The manufacturing industry is at a make-or-break point. An underqualified workforce coupled with a disruptive pandemic has made it difficult for companies to attract top talent. Manufacturers are having trouble filling open roles with employees who possess necessary skills to carry out the desired work. Often referred to as the “skills gap,” it’s a significant problem.

A study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute found that the skills gap could result in 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030. This could have a substantial negative effect on the U.S. economy, and the absence of workers could be setting the manufacturing field back by decades.

 …