3D printing. The Internet of Things. Big data. Outsourcing. Reshoring. A graying workforce. The skills gap. The wage gap. For manufacturers, these factors and countless others are creating a revolution, albeit a quiet one, whose effects are still not fully understood. They will, however, be felt for decades to come.

What's certain is that factories and job shops everywhere face complex problems and exciting opportunities that could only have been dreamed of just a generation ago. In response, government, academia, and industry are joining forces to address these concerns and ensure that U.S. manufacturers are given the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to remain at the forefront of the world economy.

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