Manufacturing has always been at the heart of the American economy, fueling innovation, shaping communities and providing stable livelihoods for millions. In Minnesota, one of the nation’s top manufacturing states, the industry contributes $57.2 billion, or about 12% of the state’s economy, and employs over 326,000 hardworking individuals.
But we’re facing a crisis that could throw a wrench in our growth: a severe shortage of skilled workers. It’s vital for all of us to ensure that manufacturing continues to thrive.
As someone who rose from a manufacturing sales representative to CEO, I know firsthand how this field can transform careers. It gave me purpose and a pathway to success, and it can do the same for the next generation entering the workforce.
Across the nation, competition for talent is fierce. In Minnesota, there are only 51 available workers for every 100 jobs. Over the next decade, we’ll need 3.8 million new manufacturing positions, yet over half will remain unfulfilled. Our advanced manufacturing revival depends on overcoming this talent gap.
This gap comes just as investments in clean and advanced manufacturing are accelerating, putting even greater strain on the workforce pipeline. Without skilled teams, we risk losing our ability to produce the key products Minnesota is known for: building materials, medical devices and food production equipment.
So, how do we overcome this challenge? In one of the most educated states in the country, students often feel that a four-year degree is their only path to success. We must change this narrative and demonstrate the immense value of manufacturing careers, often dismissed due to outdated beliefs that the sector is low-skilled and low-growth. Those perceptions couldn’t be more wrong.
Today’s manufacturing industry is a launchpad for careers in a high-tech, sustainable, innovation-driven field. And it pays well. The average manufacturing salary in 2023 was $102,629, and the sector consistently ranks among the highest for employer-provided healthcare. I started my journey in manufacturing 30 years ago, rising to lead one of North America’s largest manufacturing companies because of the opportunities this industry provides.
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To ignite interest among younger generations, we must create pathways from the classroom to the factory floor. Unfortunately, most students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses report never having interacted with an employer, and merely 12% have ever visited a manufacturing site. This isn’t just a pipeline problem, it’s a visibility problem. Without exposure to modern manufacturing, students will never choose it.
That’s why Saint-Gobain North America launched Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities (SFRC), a long-term program aimed at building local talent by introducing high school students to modern manufacturing careers. SFRC takes a community-first approach and is developed in collaboration with educators to fit the specific needs of each community.
Minnesota is one of our first stops, with Shakopee High School as an inaugural partner. Here, students will engage with a custom curriculum focused on manufacturing and material science, gaining direct access to our CertainTeed Roofing facility in Shakopee. Our vision is to expand this program across the U.S. and Canada.
But this initiative goes beyond filling job vacancies. It’s about inspiring the next generation to find purpose and opportunity in manufacturing. When we invest in students, we invest in our economy and communities, starting right here in Minnesota. Through SFRC, we want students to understand that they don’t have to choose between stability and excitement. Manufacturing offers both.
Join us. Let’s forge the future together and build the next generation of makers and leaders, right here in Minnesota and beyond.
Mark Rayfield is president and CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed. Saint-Gobain North America has over 18,000 employees in North America at 160+ manufacturing sites. Locations in Minnesota include CertainTeed Roofing in Shakopee and SageGlass in Faribault.
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