State manufacturers say workforce shortage is largest economic inhibitor

12 Feb 2021


News

A panel of Wisconsin manufacturing executives agree the workforce shortage needs to be addressed in the next decade to increase the state’s economic competitiveness. 

“It all starts with the people. Having the right workforce, the right training, the right skill set, I believe is going to be one of the biggest assets the state could have long term,” said Mercury Marine President Christopher Drees. “Workforce development and making sure that we have the people with the right skill set is going to be so crucial in helping Wisconsin move forward.”

Ahead of yesterday’s panel, hosted by Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce, President and CEO Kurt Bauer said that pre-pandemic, the U.S. had a shortage of over 600,000 skilled manufacturing workers. He added that there’s a projected shortage of 2.4 million by 2028. 

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