Challenges, Opportunities and Vision for Advanced Manufacturing: Discussion Draft

Manufacturing in Massachusetts is an unsung industry even though itemploys nearly 250,000, or about one in 12 Bay State workers. In practice, manufacturing is not a sector, but instead a critical support for the state’s other major sectors. Traditional smokestack manufacturing has largely faded away, leaving high-value, technically sophisticated products in such industries as semiconductors, telecommunications and medical devices. Massachusetts could make more products here, but the challenge is developing the pipeline of manufacturing talent to replace an aging workforce. This discussion draft explores the challenges, opportunities, and vision for advanced manufacturing in Massachusetts over the next decade.