Area Development
The Manufacturing Institute lays out a roadmap for education reform to support the manufacturing industry in a recent report.

The institute's efforts include creating a NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System and an Education Council. The council, which will consist of leaders from K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities, will advise the institute on education strategies to prepare the industry for innovation and the next generation of workers.

"There is an opportunity to reinvigorate manufacturing in this country, not just during this economic cycle, but for generations to come," the report says.

But the Manufacturing Institute says success requires extensive education reform. The report includes feedback from a roundtable of business executives and education leaders on reform.