This article is the fourth in a monthly series brought to you by the America Works initiative. As a part of the MEP National Network’s goal of supporting the growth of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, this series focuses on innovative approaches and uncovering the latest trends in manufacturing workforce development.

Growing up, my parents used to always joke that we needed a money tree to provide endless funding for my many expensive tastes.

Today, U.S. manufacturers joke that they need a “skilled workers tree,” where they can endlessly grow qualified workers to fill their open advanced manufacturing roles. We know from a recent Deloitte study that U.S. manufacturers will need 2.1 million qualified workers by 2030. And this shortage will only grow worse, as 69 percent of manufacturers are looking to reshore production to North America.

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