Modern manufacturing is undergoing a fundamental transformation; a new fourth industrial revolution. Rapid technological advances and the convergence of physical and digital manufacturing are helping change the way manufacturers operate and raising the bar for required employee skillsets. Talent at all levels is becoming a key competitive differentiator. In fact, manufacturing executives around the world rank talent as the top driver of manufacturing competitiveness. At the same time, the US manufacturing industry faces an estimated two-million-worker shortfall over the next decade, and industry executives report that six out of 10 positions are currently unfilled due to a manufacturing skills gap.2 Yet, at least one critical element that can aid in closing the gap remains largely untapped–women.
