Welcome to another episode of Manufacturing an American Century! In today's episode, we take a deep dive into the manufacturing journey and insights of Kevin Ross, a seasoned professional and leader with Accenture’s IndustryX, who has witnessed the manufacturing industry’s transformation over the years and charts a course on how American regions can capitalize on the growing trends of nearshoring, automation and digitization. Join your host, Matt Bogoshian, as he unravels Kevin's fascinating experiences and perspectives.
📢 Episode Highlights:
The Outsourcing Movement and Shifting Workforce:. Kevin discusses the factors that drove the outsourcing movement of manufacturing in recent decades, including lower costs and less stringent environmental controls, and also describes the resulting decline in the percentage of Americans involved in manufacturing, highlighting the industry's transformation since the 1950s.
The Accenture Perspective: Kevin shares his recent experiences at Accenture and their role in Industry 4.0. He shares his experiences with high-tech startups, including one focused on high-temperature superconducting technology, and explains the unique challenges and innovations in this specialized field.
Rethinking Manufacturing Strategy: Kevin shares insights into how major companies are reconsidering their manufacturing strategies, and how recent incentives such as the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS for America have influenced their decision-making. The continuity of supply and product availability are key drivers behind this shift.
Understanding Government Incentives: Kevin acknowledges that navigating government incentives can be challenging, especially for those primarily involved in private manufacturing. He highlights the importance of organizations like the AMCC in connecting industry players with regional partners, state-level resources, and federal incentives.
Changing Skill Requirements: As technology and automation reshape the manufacturing landscape, Kevin underscores the necessity of adapting and upgrading skills. He draws parallels between the historical shift from agriculture to manufacturing and the need for a similar transition in today's workforce.
Public-Private Collaboration: Kevin highlights the importance of systemic collaboration between the government and the private sector in addressing workforce development challenges. He believes that a coordinated effort can lead to impactful changes in education and skills development.
Tune in, subscribe, and contribute as we continue to delve into the stories shaping American manufacturing today! New episodes are released every two weeks!
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Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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