Improving employer engagement in manufacturing workforce development programs

Abstract

U.S. manufacturers face significant recruitment and retention challenges, compelling them to seek support from workforce development (WD) programs. Effective WD programs actively incorporate employer input in program design, development, and implementation to ensure relevance and meet the specific hiring needs of the manufacturing industry. Using a multi-method approach, this study examined manufacturers' preferences for engagement across areas in oversight, design, delivery, recruitment, and resource support. The results show that employers seek greater involvement in strategic oversight, curriculum design, and program delivery. Structured strategies for employer participation are recommended to ensure that WD programs align closely with industry needs. © 2025 Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Keywords

Author Keywords

Workforce development Employer Engagement Manufacturing Multi-method Research

Index Keywords

Curricula Engineering education Workforce development Software design Industrial research Personnel Development programmes Employer engagement Manufacturing workforce Multi methods Multi-method research Program design Program development Program implementation US manufacturers

Author Affiliations

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States

Funding & Acknowledgements

Economic Development Administration, EDA

Funding text 1: This study was supported by the Economic Development Administration. We thank the Berkshire Innovation Center, participating manufacturing employers, and MIT institutional leaders for their support and collaboration.; Funding text 2: This study was supported by the Economic Development Administration. We thank the Berkshire Innovation Center, participating manufacturing employers, and MIT institutional leaders for their support and collaboration. The original full version of this paper was published in the proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT

Funding text 1: This study was supported by the Economic Development Administration. We thank the Berkshire Innovation Center, participating manufacturing employers, and MIT institutional leaders for their support and collaboration.; Funding text 2: This study was supported by the Economic Development Administration. We thank the Berkshire Innovation Center, participating manufacturing employers, and MIT institutional leaders for their support and collaboration. The original full version of this paper was published in the proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

American Society for Engineering Education, ASEE

Funding text 1: This study was supported by the Economic Development Administration. We thank the Berkshire Innovation Center, participating manufacturing employers, and MIT institutional leaders for their support and collaboration.; Funding text 2: This study was supported by the Economic Development Administration. We thank the Berkshire Innovation Center, participating manufacturing employers, and MIT institutional leaders for their support and collaboration. The original full version of this paper was published in the proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

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Improving employer engagement in manufacturing workforce development programs

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