ManufacturingNEXT was created for Inforum members and companies who want to strengthen the talent pipeline in manufacturing by providing technical and professional skill development, relationship building opportunities, and to create allies to support the advancement of women.

According to the Manufacturing Institute, manufacturing faces a serious skills gap. Part of this gap comes from an underrepresentation of women in the industry. In fact, based on the U.S. Department of Commerce, women make up about 47% of the America workforce but only 30% work in manufacturing. Women in manufacturing leadership positions is only 1 in 4. Closing the manufacturers’ gender gap is key to addressing manufacturing’s workforce crises, as women are the largest untapped talent pool.