Building Skills that Transfer

What We Found

While each advanced manufacturing subsector has unique technologies and workforce needs, the M-SPIRE Advanced Manufacturing Skills Analysis found significant overlap in the skills employers request. The essential skills of communication, leadership, operations, management, and problem solving were consistently in high demand across all subsectors (Med Tech, Semiconductor & Microelectronics Manufacturing, Sustainable Plastics Manufacturing, and Clean Technology). Communication was the most commonly requested skill across the analysis.

The Advanced Manufacturing industry needs skilled workers at all levels of education, but the transferrable skills of communication, management, problem solving, and operations were among the top in-demand regardless of education requirements. Looking across subsectors, the most transferable skills varied somewhat by education level. Skills were most transferable among jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher, where at least nine of the top ten requested skills in each subsector also appeared among another subsector’s top skills for bachelor-level (or higher) jobs. There was more variation in the most in-demand skills for jobs requiring an associate degree or less, with Clean Tech having unique skills as five its top ten. Even still, those “unique” top skills to Clean Tech—such as professionalism, forklift truck, and regulatory compliance—are relevant to many roles and industries.

These findings suggest that the same essential skills that serve jobseekers across the labor market are key to instill in Advanced Manufacturing talent. Education and workforce programs will best serve multiple advanced manufacturing subsectors can emphasize shared skills that prepare people for opportunities across subsectors, while still tailoring parts of their training to the distinctive needs of individual industries. These skills can also continue to serve workers as they pursue additional education and advance in their careers.