Keeping America Competitive:

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Phyllis EisenNovember 13, 2003 National
Dissemination Center for Career and Technical
Education Professional Development Speaker Series

• Keeping America Competitive
• How a Talent Shortage
• Threatens U.S. Manufacturing

www.nam.org
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Americas Manufacturing Sector

• For decades, manufacturing has
• been the center of US strength
• Now, its facing a fundamental
• transformation
• Advances in technology
• Global competition
• Demographic changes

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We Have A Crisis

• Were facing a shortfall of qualified employees
• Implications for the economy
• Implications for national security

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And A Serious Image Problem

• The image of manufacturing is loaded with
  negative and outdated connotations

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Perception vs. Aspiration
How students saw manufacturing careers
What they want for their lives
Assembly line Repetitious/boring Not a dream
job Not ambitious Serving a life
sentence Dangerous/dark/dirty Hard work/long
hours Low pay No benefits Dead-end Sector in
decline Jobs leaving the country
Interesting Creative/not a cookie
cutter Emotionally rewarding Good quality of
life Freedom to choose Prestige Financially
rewarding Opportunity to climb ladder Stable
high-growth sector Ample U.S.-based jobs
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Education System is Failing Us

• Exacerbates the negative perceptions of
  manufacturing
• Fails to engage drop-outs
• Does not help students enter alternative programs
  or access career guidance
• Badly misaligned with needs of the global economy

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Manufacturing Reality

• But, the reality of manufacturing is vastly
  different from its gritty image.

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22 Percent Higher Wages
Manufacturing Reality
60,000
Benefits
50,000
40,000
Average Annual Compensation
30,000
Wages
20,000
10,000
Manufacturing
Rest of Workforce
SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor
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Contribution to GDP Growth, 1992-2000
Rest of economy
Manufacturing 21
Transportation/public utilities
Wholesale trade
Software
Services
Finance/insurance /real estate
Retail trade
SOURCE U.S. Department of Commerce
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Supports 9 Million Jobs in Other Sectors
Contribution to Economy
16
14
12
10
Jobs (in millions)
8
Trans, finance, minerals, construction, etc..
6
Agriculture
Services
4
2
Wholesale/retail
0
Manufacturing Jobs
Other Sectors
SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor, NAM
calculations from Commerce Dept data
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Our Challenge

• Make manufacturing careers a preferred choice
  by 2010.

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Our Plan

• Launch an awareness campaign
• Develop career education materials
• Test ideas in three locations
• Take our campaign to the nation

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Call to Action

• To President Bush declare U.S. manufacturing a
  national priority
• To Congress establish a National Manufacturing
  Day
• To manufacturers open your plants and facilities
  to young people, teachers and parents
• To U.S. educators bring your students and
  guidance counselors to a modern manufacturing
  facility

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Your Role in This

• We need your help in communicating the
  manufacturing reality and helping to dispel the
  negative perceptions and barriers.
• Join us in helping to make manufacturing a
  preferred career choice by the end of this
  decade, and to keeping America strong.

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Join With Us

• For more information, visit the NAM website at
  www.nam.org or
• www.nam.org/workforce
• Or contact us at [phone]