Recent NAM Survey Affirms MACNY/PEB Efforts
Randy Wolken, President & CEO

The number one need of our MACNY members in the manufacturing and technology sectors is a skilled workforce. There just aren’t enough young people to fill the jobs that are open today. This raises serious concerns for the future.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Q2 2023 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey illustrates mounting concerns over skilled workforce. The NAM conducted the survey from May 18 to June 1, 2023. The top challenge facing manufacturers was attracting and retaining a quality workforce (74.4%). Additional concerns are a weaker domestic economy (55.7%), rising health care/insurance costs (53.1%), unfavorable business climate (52.1%), increased raw material costs (50.8%), and supply chain challenges (44.9%).

This is where the vital work of Partners for Education & Business Inc.  (PEB)comes in. For 30 years, PEB has annually served thousands of youth and their adult parents —helping them both understand and pursue careers in manufacturing and other critical tech areas. This work is so meaningful to our community and economy. As importantly, the work of MACNY/PEB is growing rapidly.

Work in this area, along with national trends, offers hope for growing the workforce we will need. The  2022 Manufacturing Perception Study, from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, found that 64% of those surveyed viewed manufacturing jobs as innovative. And that compares to 39% in 2017, the last time the study was conducted.

Just yesterday at our annual 2023 Workforce Development Awards, we celebrated the PEB Award recipients, 2022 Registered Apprenticeship graduates, 2023 CNY STEM Scholarship program recipients, new signatory companies, and companies that have expanded their Registered Apprenticeship program. What an exciting event!  On behalf of the entire MACNY Board of Directors, staff, and the manufacturing community, we say – well done! Congratulations to this year’s CNY STEM Scholarship recipients, graduating Registered Apprentices, and PEB Award recipients. We commend you for your achievements.

Finally, a very special thanks to the hardworking MACNY and PEB team. They are doing an extraordinary job. If you are not yet involved or would like to do more, connect with our talented team. Thanks in advance for your efforts.