Advanced Manufacturing Now

Manufacturing is at a pivotal crossroad. Rapid advances in automation, AI, and industrial IoT are transforming the shop floor, creating an urgent need for a new generation of skilled workers. But how do we build a workforce ready to keep up with this technological wave? In this episode, we go Inside SME’s Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC), a national initiative dedicated to answering that question. We sit down with Dr. Deb Volzer, SME’s Vice President of Workforce Development, to discuss how this program is reshaping the collaboration between community colleges, employers, and local organizations to solve America's skilled labor crisis. What you’ll learn: Why the Workforce Challenge Exists: America's competitiveness hinges on closing the widening skills gap caused by unprecedented technological change. The Power of Community College Hubs: How 25 colleges across 17 states are using innovative strategy sessions—like the "sticky storm" design thinking exercise—to align community resources and create hyper-local talent pipelines. Piloting New Approaches: Hear about the initiative's success using AI-powered chat tools for targeted social media marketing, reaching hundreds of thousands of prospective students and uncovering thousands of potential learners in just a few weeks. Critical Takeaways: Dr. Volzer shares three vital lessons from the first year, including the looming faculty shortage crisis and the essential role of continuous industry dialogue to keep curriculum current. This conversation is a blueprint for how communities can future-proof their workforce and ensure manufacturing remains strong in America.

In this special Manufacturing Month episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb, Editor-in-Chief of SME Media, is joined by a powerhouse panel of workforce development leaders: Jeannine Kunz, Executive Director and CEO of SME; Erica Logan, Workforce Development Director of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Program; and Joe Barto, Program Leader of the Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program. Together, they dive deep into one of the most urgent issues facing U.S. manufacturing today, the growing talent gap.

The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry is demanding Aerospace parts at Automotive rates. Learn from aerospace and automotive industry leaders who will share the unique manufacturing, quality and inspection requirements for aerospace composites and current challenges to high-rate manufacturing. Insights from manufacturing experts with a command of high volume production will also be discussed. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain knowledge from aerospace composite manufacturing experts from the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) who will elaborate on the current state and propose solutions to high-rate manufacturing of AAM composites. Visit https://advancedmanufacturing.org/webinars for a more interactive experience with visuals. SPEAKERS: Nick Gianaris, PhD, PE Principal Technical Consultant, Nexight Group Doug Decker, FSME President of the Composites Consultants Ben Dietsch VP, Arsenal, Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. Sana Elyas Industrial Collaborations-Composites Innovation & Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Confused about the difference between a certificate of completion, a certification, and an industry-recognized credential? You’re not aloneOn this episode of the "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow" podcast, host Toni Neary welcomes Montez King, Executive Director of NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills), to break down what these terms really mean, why industry-recognized credentials matter, and how certifications evolve to stay relevant. From understanding standards to renewal requirements and the importance of independent validation, this conversation will help you navigate professional development with clarity and confidence.

Jay Jessen, director of Lawrence Tech’s Marburger STEM Center and 2025 STEM Director of the Year, joins Advanced Manufacturing Now to discuss hands-on STEM education, breaking down access barriers,and preparing students for the future of work.

Nations need manufacturing workforces that are competent, empowered, and diverse. Attracting and educating this base – ranging from operators and technicians to technologists and engineers – poses unique challenges and opportunities. Underinvestment in manufacturing education has led to a lack of integration of manufacturing content in higher education curriculum. In many countries, deep disconnects exist between manufacturing and workforce development. Expanding industries such as semiconductors and the submarine industrial base struggle to grow their workforce at a pace to support growth. And at times, manufacturing has struggled to attract young people and develop talent. This webinar will present a new 2025 special issue in SME Manufacturing Letters: Innovations in Manufacturing Education. This issue will provide a platform for findings that advance the frontiers of manufacturing education and workforce development. Topics will include, but are not limited to: innovative manufacturing education in higher education, community colleges, and K-12; learning technologies for manufacturing education and training; and novel approaches to experiential learning and labs. The presentation will include timeline, topics and scope, review process, and Q&A.

In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb is joined by his colleagues Kip Hanson and Amy Bryson to discuss the October issue of Smart Shop Essentials, fresh off the press and centered on metrology — the science of measurement — and its critical role in smart manufacturing.

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Associate Editor Cary Gitter is joined by Padma Raghunathan, Product Marketing Manager at Deltek, to explore what it really means to run a digitally connected manufacturing operation.

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Associate Editor Cary Gitter shares conversations with industry leaders recorded at Rapid + TCT 2025 in Detroit. Dr. Masahiko Mori (DMG Mori), Yoav Zeif (Stratasys), and Brigitte de Vet-Veithen (Materialise) contemplate the future of additive manufacturing and the importance of collaboration, digitalization and workforce transformation.

The editorial team dives into the September issue of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology (MET), covering the latest trends of the auto industry, the continued rise of AI and the critical importance of cybersecurity preparedness.

On this episode of the "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow", host Toni Neary welcomes her colleague and friend, Craig McAtee, the Executive Director of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC). Craig shares his unique career journey, transitioning from an engineer at a company called Swagelok to roles in workforce and economic development at Cuyahoga Community College, before taking the helm at NCATC. They discuss how NCATC has evolved into a leading workforce development association under his leadership. The conversation dives into the power of partnerships, highlighting the shift from calling industry relationships "vendors" to "strategic partners". Craig and Toni also discuss what makes the NCATC conference so successful, including its focus on sharing best practices, offering "industry innovation tours" , and the "Member Assistance Program" (MAP) where experienced members help colleges plan new technology centers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how education and industry are collaborating to build the workforce of the future.

Senior Editor David Muller sits down with Tim Gaus, smart manufacturing business leader and principal at Deloitte, to discuss the pressing challenges facing the manufacturing workforce. Tim shares his perspective on knowledge transfer, the impact of generational shifts, and how partnerships with academia are building a robust talent pipeline.

Metalworking fluids are often overlooked but absolutely critical to machining success. In this episode of the Advanced Manufacturing Now podcast, Associate Editor Cary Gitter is joined by Brandy Brown and Mike Kowalski of Castrol to discuss the importance of metalworking fluids in machining success. They explain the various types of metalworking fluids and the factors to consider when selecting the right fluid.

In this episode of the Advanced Manufacturing Now, Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb dives into how small and mid-sized manufacturers can build cybersecurity into their digital transformation efforts. Gabriela Ciocarlie and Curtis Taylor from CyManII are joined by Vinh Nguyen from Michigan Tech to explore a groundbreaking cybersecurity project.

You could have the best tools in the world, but if your tool path isn't dialed in, the whole process will break down. Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb, Lead Contributing Editor Amy Bryson and Contributing Editor Kip Hanson discuss the latest issue of Smart Shop Essentials, exploring the nuanced world of milling strategies, examining how tool selection, machine behavior, and programming techniques impact manufacturing performance.

Manufacturing Engineering and Technology (MET) magazine is on its way! Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb and SME's Vice President of Integrated Media Jake Volcsko discuss the launch of the new publication, and the coalescence of traditional and smart manufacturing technologies which made it a natural progression for SME Media.

In this episode, Dave Evans, CEO of Fictiv, discusses the journey of his company from its inception to becoming a global player in the manufacturing industry. He shares insights from his experience in the automotive sector, the challenges of scaling supply chains, and the importance of innovation in hardware development.

Editor David Muller sits down with Associate Editor Cary Gitter to debrief from the 2025 North American Manufacturing Research Conference and its Blue Sky Competition. He discusses this years winners, a team from the University of Georgia with its entry on “Manufacturing Empathy,” and other standouts from the competition.

In this inspiring episode, Toni Neary sits down with industry champion Clint Smith of Mastercam. From his start as a mold maintenance technician to CNC programmer and now a leader in education and workforce development, Clint shares his incredible journey and passion for shaping the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Fresh from SkillsUSA Nationals, Clint and Toni dive into the impact of competitions like SkillsUSA, WorldSkills, and Project MFG. Clint gives an insider’s look at what it takes to mentor and support students on a global stage, why these contests matter so much to the industry, and how they build not just technical abilities—but confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Whether you're an educator, employer, or student, this episode will leave you recharged and reminded why investing in skilled trades matters more than ever.

Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb sits down with Al Whatmough, CEO of Toolpath Labs, to explore the potential of AI in manufacturing. Drawing from his experiences as a machinist, high school teacher and former Autodesk executive, Whatmough shares his thoughts on bridging the gap between design and production, creating a more connected, efficient manufacturing ecosystem through intelligent automation.