A Push to Rebuild U.S. Factory Jobs: IACMI’s ‘Make It In America’ Goes National

New national outreach aims to turn more people toward modern manufacturing careers

IACMI, the national industry consortium focused on advanced composites and manufacturing innovation, has opened a public-facing campaign called “Make It In America.” The group says the drive will bring outreach, hands-on events and training resources to towns and cities across the country. The immediate news is the campaign’s national launch and an initial slate of partners and events intended to start recruiting workers and students this year.

What the campaign sets out to do: outreach, partnerships and real-world training

At its core, Make It In America is a broad recruitment and education push aimed at getting more people into factory and technical roles tied to clean energy, transportation and high-tech manufacturing. The campaign plans a mix of in-person events, school visits and online tools. Promised activities include public career fairs, factory tours, summer bootcamps, and a teaching toolkit for high schools and community colleges.

IACMI says the campaign will lean on partnerships with community colleges, local manufacturers and workforce agencies. Those partners are expected to host events, offer short training modules and open up apprenticeship slots. The group is also rolling out an online resource hub with materials for counselors, parents and employers — sample curricula, hiring guides and outreach templates that communities can adapt.

Officials describe the timeline as immediate: outreach events and partner recruitment will begin right away, with expanded training programs and more permanent pathways to jobs to follow over the next year. The emphasis is practical and local: build interest with hands-on exposure, then connect people to short courses and entry-level job openings.

Why this matters: getting ready for a tighter manufacturing labor market by 2030

Manufacturing in the United States is shifting. Demand for parts and materials used in renewable energy, electric vehicles and other modern industries is growing. At the same time, a lot of factory workers are nearing retirement and schools have been slow to promote skilled trades. The result, IACMI says, is a widening gap between the jobs that will exist and the people ready to fill them by 2030.

The campaign’s basic argument is straightforward: if the country wants supply chains that are more domestic and resilient, it must also grow the pool of trained workers where those factories are built. Make It In America is an attempt to do that work out loud, in communities rather than only in policy rooms.

Voices behind the rollout: leaders, partners and educators explain their roles

An IACMI leader framed the campaign as part outreach and part matchmaking. “We want to show people the real jobs behind modern manufacturing and make the path to those jobs simple and visible,” the executive said, describing IACMI’s role as a convener that brings industry and training providers together.

Representatives from community colleges and local workforce agencies praised the focus on hands-on exposure. A community college workforce director said their schools are ready to move quickly: “Short, job-focused training is what students ask for. When employers commit to interviews and apprenticeships, enrollment follows.”

Small and midsize manufacturers echoed the call for workers who can learn on the job. One manufacturer noted that plants often need technicians who can work with composite materials and advanced assembly tools — skills local schools can teach if they know the demand is real.

How communities, schools and companies can take part

Communities should look for local event listings and contact nearby training partners to host a visit or workshop. Schools and counselors can request the campaign’s toolkit to structure short lessons and career days. Employers can join as host sites for tours, set up internships or open apprenticeship seats to provide an immediate on-ramp.

The campaign’s practical aim is to make participation low-friction: set up an event, use the provided materials, and connect students or job seekers to a short course or an employer who will interview them.

What to watch next: short-term wins and longer hurdles

In the near term, success will look like filled seats at events, new short-term classes at community colleges, and local manufacturers taking on apprentices. The tougher test is scaling those pilot efforts into steady pipelines for the workforce needs that will grow over the rest of the decade.

Challenges include aligning funding, ensuring consistent quality across locations, and persuading enough people to choose manufacturing careers when other sectors compete for talent. For now, Make It In America is a visible start: a campaign built to attract attention quickly and convert it into training and jobs in communities where factories are hiring.

Sources

• prnewswire.com