Economists from RAND Corporation, Christine Mulhern and Lisa Abraham, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent report examining how to strengthen the manufacturing workforce in Ohio.
The RAND Corporation is a non-partisan, nonprofit global policy think tank, research institute, and public sector consulting firm that performs research and development across multiple fields and industries. They recently released a report about strengthening the manufacturing sector in Ohio. One of the main takeaways the report found was that about 40 percent of students with a manufacturing credential are leaving the industry. This data was found as they analyzed the education-to-job pipeline and sought to find answers to the attrition shown by students.
No one industry is leading students away from the manufacturing industry according to the report. There were also no major indications of employers believing the students weren’t qualified, nor was it determined that the personal choices of the students led to the attrition. The report determined there will have to be more data collected, and policies need to be better examined to find the reason for the exodus of trained students.
The report found that they need to improve diversity, including creating a better pipeline for women and minorities. RAND believes the initial report shows a growth of more women and minorities seeking educational opportunities in the manufacturing sector overtime. When examining wages in manufacturing, the data showed that those who enter the sector with credentials earn more than their peers in other industries with credentials. There is a growing demand for manufacturing with higher-skilled jobs that require greater training to meet the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. The next step in the report will be determining solutions on how to develop the workers needed for the sector.
To hear more from the RAND Corporation report, listen to the show above.