Confronting the Mold Design Talent Drought

It’s a serious issue. As we look toward 2030, the moldmaking industry faces a stark challenge: a severe shortage of skilled mold designers. The survey revealed only 0.7% of respondents are satisfied with the on-the-job training they receive, underscoring the urgent need for robust educational programs and innovative training approaches. The industry's response to this talent drought highlights a shared sense of urgency and a variety of proposed solutions.

A common theme that keeps coming up is the need to change how people view manufacturing jobs. Everyone agrees: we can't just wait for the government to step in; industry folks need to take action themselves. It's crucial to show that these jobs are exciting and essential to today's world, not just in the U.S., but everywhere. There's a growing trend of videos on social media diving into ways to make this shift happen and it's really catching people's attention.

Education is becoming a crucial battleground. Several comments highlight the decline of specialized programs in high schools and vocational schools. Ferris State University and various community colleges used to offer solid training, but many of these programs have been scaled back or cut, leaving a gap in foundational skills training. In Connecticut, there's a promising initiative to develop a two-year associate degree program in plastics, focusing on mold design and build tracks. This program, a collaboration between Middlesex Community College and local industry partners, aims to create certificate programs to upskill current employees. However, finding qualified instructors remains a big challenge.

Apprenticeships, once a key part of skills development in the trade, are also on the decline. Industry veterans say community colleges have taken over apprenticeships but lack the expertise in moldmaking. Plus, the reward structure is another issue — high-paying machinist jobs often attract potential apprentices, steering them away from more extensive training in mold design.

There's also a call for greater industry collaboration. Companies need to team up with educational institutions to create meaningful apprenticeship programs and ensure continuous, progressive training that keeps up with technological advancements. The financial burden of training is a concern, as tight margins make it tough for companies to invest in extensive training programs.

The way forward needs a multifaceted approach: changing how society views manufacturing careers, revitalizing educational and apprenticeship programs, fostering industry-education partnerships and tackling the financial challenges of training. As we work through this talent drought, sharing successful strategies and learning from each other will be crucial. Let's keep the conversation going and work together to secure the future of moldmaking. Want to join the conversation? Email me with ideas and solutions at cfuges@gardnerweb.com.