Retirements, the decline of trade school programs, and a preference for other career options have left the North American manufacturing sector with a growing hiring and retention problem. According to a new report from the Society for Manufacturing Engineers (SME), Workforce Pipeline Challenge: National Impact Report 2025, the U.S. is facing a critical shortage with more than 460,000 manufacturing positions unfilled. That number could rise to 4 million by 2030 as retirements accelerate, unless meaningful steps are taken.
SME has identified one area that could help ease the shortage: the eight million young adults between 18 and 24 who are not currently pursuing post-secondary education. Through its Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC), SME has already engaged 25 community colleges across 17 states in its first year, with a goal of reaching 75,000 learners in three years.
Workforce Solutions at FABTECH 2025
Experts from SME, the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA), Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), Chemical Coaters Association Intl (CCAI), and the American Welding Society (AWS) will share insights and solutions in their booths during FABTECH 2025. Attendees can also hear from expert speakers who will discuss how to seize new opportunities and strengthen teams for the future.
Many sessions will focus on:
Sharpening recruitment efforts to bring in fresh talent
Training new hires to gain skills quickly
Partnering with trade associations and schools to build talent pipelines
Addressing how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the industry and how to approach it with confidence
Balancing Workforce and Automation
At the same time, many have realized that the workforce of tomorrow may be very different from that of the past. While recruitment and training are serious concerns that must be addressed, it is becoming increasingly clear that automation can bring relief to those job shops struggling to attract the talent they need. But automation must be done smartly – otherwise the costs can quickly escalate without bringing much needed relief from workforce pressures.
FABTECH 2025 sessions will cover:
How to introduce automation intelligently
How to incorporate AI into operations
How to find the people you need to run advanced automation and AI systems.
Strategies and tactics that fabricators and manufacturers can use to reduce costs, increase quality, and introduce automation and innovation to the workplace.
How to bring about manufacturing transformation.
Companies that thrive in today’s economy are those that hire strategically, train effectively, and adopt automation intelligently. FABTECH 2025 will deliver the knowledge and tools to help manufacturers succeed in all three areas.
Register now for FABTECH 2025 and join the conversation about the future of manufacturing.