2025 Women MAKE Awards
| On March 6 we will be announcing the 2025 Women MAKE Award recipients, a group of 130 female leaders currently working in the manufacturing industry. Each awardee’s accomplishments and contributions were peer-reviewed against a set of criteria evaluating leadership and innovation, mentorship and community impact. On April 23-24, in Washington, D.C., we will honor this group of impressive women with two days of leadership development programming followed by the Women MAKE Awards gala in to celebrate their many accomplishments and contributions. While our Honorees and Emerging Leaders have already been selected, we are still accepting nominations for our inaugural Champion Award! This prestigious award recognizes a transformative executive leader – of any gender – who has made extraordinary contributions to advancing women in manufacturing. The Champion Award will be presented to a leader who exemplifies the impact of innovation, mentorship, and community engagement in shaping a more competitive and dynamic industry. Nominations close this Friday, February 14 and the recipient will be announced at the Gala on April 24. Sponsorship opportunities are still available if you are interested in showcasing your leadership and support of women in the manufacturing industry. Please contact Rachael Scheffler, AVP, Partnerships and Philanthropy, for more details. |
Workforce Solutions
Meet the MI’s New Student Engagement Tool
| Manufacturers need to fill 3.8 million jobs by 2033, with half at risk of remaining unfilled due to a persistent skills gap. To address this, manufacturers must support career awareness and exploration with local students as early as elementary school, as today’s 4th graders will graduate in 2033 and could be your future workforce. To help, the Manufacturing Institute has developed The Quest for the Crystal of Innovation (Innovators Quest), a gamified experience for grades 4-9. This turnkey solution allows manufacturers to engage students in a fun, challenging, and age-appropriate way, either in classrooms or at community events like summer camps, expos, and MFG Day. Details on how your company can sponsor this activity can be found here. Additionally, you can access more information from our recent informational webinar or email [email protected] |
| Upcoming Report: Empowered leadership, engaged teams: Build a better workplace through frontline leadership Next week the MI will be publishing a new report in partnership with PwC, exploring how manufacturers can invest in frontline leadership to drive team engagement and workplace success. The manufacturing workforce is undergoing a transformation, with shifting employee expectations emerging as a top challenge for industry leaders. As manufacturers strive to enhance the frontline worker experience, frontline leaders represent a largely untapped opportunity to drive engagement, productivity, and retention. However, many lack the skills needed to foster a positive workplace culture effectively. Frontline leaders play a pivotal role in manufacturing operations, shaping daily interactions and workplace morale. While 66% of survey respondents believe that improving the employee experience reduces attrition, only 17% rate their frontline leaders as highly effective in this area—highlighting a critical development gap. To bridge this gap, manufacturers must invest in three essential skill areas: Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Technology and Digital Literacy As a “MI Insider” let us know if you’d like to be the first to receive these new insights as soon as they’re published. Sign up to get the full report. It’s filled actionable guidance on how to equip frontline leaders with the tools they need to foster a more engaged and productive workforce. |
Upcoming Events
FAME National Conference-May 20-22,2025 | Charlotte, NC
| Upcoming Events FAME National Conference – May 20-22, 2025 | Charlotte, NC Interested in learning more about FAME – the new American model for skills training? For the second year, the FAME USA Conference is open to those exploring chapter startup or simply wanting to learn more! This event will bring together employers, college representatives, and workforce development professionals from across the FAME network. With a special series of sessions designed to take attendees from awareness to action, participants will gain a deep understanding of the FAME model, the support available for chapter development, and leave with actionable insights tailored to your region. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and take the next step in building a stronger workforce – learn more and register here. |
| The Manufacturing Institute grows and supports the industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MI’s initiatives support all workers, including emerging workers, women, veterans, and students, through skilled training programs, community building and career growth. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions and resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges. Visit Our Website To learn more about the MI’s programs and ways you can support and participate, please contact Rachael Scheffler, AVP, Partnerships and Philanthropy. |
