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Will State of Union Proposals Help Manufacturing ?

Jan. 30, 2014
Six new National Network for Manufacturing Innovation centers will bolster the sector, however better policies are needed to create more manufacturing jobs.

Reaction to President Obama’s State of the Union was mixed.

Robert Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, was pleased with the announcement of an an additional six new institutes within the The National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.

He also appreciated the assistance that came in the form of the President’s call to roll back sequestration cuts to federal research and development.

He was however critical of the President’s connection between technology and the hollowing out of the middle class. “Technology is a key to economic growth and opportunity and it is not the cause of middle class economic woes. "he said. "In fact, it is the solution to those woes. We need to enhance technological development and promote automation and productivity growth, not equate ‘robots’ with unemployment or inequality.”

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, was also disappointed by a number of elements in the speech. This is the third consecutive State of the Union in which there has been a strong rhetorical focus on manufacturing, and that’s welcome. But the progress, despite the rosy picture painted by the President, has been painfully slow. And in some cases, such as the trade deficit with China, we’ve seen backsliding.”

For more, read “Reaction to Speech: Thanks for New Innovation Centers but Policies Need Help” on sister site IndustryWeek.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor - MH&L, IW, & EHS Today

Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with Endeavor Business Media and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics, EHS Today, and IndustryWeek. 

Editorial Mission Statement:

Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes, and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I Find Manufacturing Interesting: 

On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated, and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.