DETROIT, Mi. July 14, 2023

“It looks like Tony Stark’s basement” – An Operation Next Success Story

July 14, 2023 — “I just thought this was the coolest place. It looks like Tony Stark’s basement, so I said, ‘Let’s do this!’” That was New Jersey native turned Michigan resident Staff Sgt. Cameron Homburg’s reaction to his first visit to LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense national manufacturing innovation institute, as he considered what his civilian career might look like as he retires after serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps.

July 6, 2023

Beloved former AFRL director honored posthumously for defense manufacturing advocacy

Former Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, Director and Vice Commander Dr. David “Dave” E. Walker was honored posthumously by the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel, or JDMTP, at the Defense Manufacturing Conference in Tampa, Florida, in December 2022. The late Walker, a beloved former director of AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate and passionate advocate for DOD-sponsored manufacturing technology programs, was named as a recipient of the JDMTP’s 2022 Defense Manufacturing Champion Award. Walker died unexpectedly in January 2020 at the age of 61, following a storied career spent in service to the nation’s defense.

Jan. 4, 2023

Recognizing Excellence at DMC: Service Recognition Award

Tampa, FL — The 2022 Defense Manufacturing Conference featured presentation of awards, including the Service Recognition Award, given by the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP) to senior leaders whose contributions have greatly impacted their individual Service/Agency ManTech program as well as specific Subpanel and Technical Working Groups.

April 22, 2022

Attracting STEM Talent for Careers in Advanced Manufacturing

Manufacturing has long been a driver of innovation and economic growth in the U.S. Now, as advanced manufacturing evolves with new careers involving robotics, automation and AI, workforce development has taken on increasing importance. The manufacturing sector increasingly needs workers with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills to program and operate complex machinery, and conduct research and development. The Manufacturing USA® network has successfully accelerated technology and scale-up, and supported small and medium-sized manufacturers to gain access to opportunities, and built out unique advanced manufacturing ecosystems. The network’s large-scale public-private collaboration is being employed in scores of projects to expose students of all ages to STEM careers and equip workers with the necessary skills in advanced manufacturing in robotics, automation, and AI. Read about it here: https://www.manufacturingusa.com/studies/attracting-STEM-talent-careers-advanced-manufacturing

March 28, 2022

Developing, Upskilling and Transitioning Current Manufacturing Workforce

Workforce development is taking on increasing importance as manufacturers not only must fill more than 800,000 current openings but also define new careers involving robotics, automation and AI. Manufacturers are seeking people with the right skills for the advanced manufacturing jobs of today and tomorrow and finding ways to upskill their current staff. Enhanced skills in the workforce are necessary to drive the automation technologies that will increase productivity and lead a resurgent U.S. manufacturing sector. Improvements in the workforce will help make more manufacturing businesses, especially small and mid-sized companies, economically viable. The Manufacturing USA institutes are helping expand and upskill the manufacturing workforce by connecting industry with equitable education and workforce development systems, including those in underserved communities.