Barbara Humpton, president and CEO of Siemens Corp., hosted Terry Iverson, founder of CHAMPION Now and author of ”Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing,” on her podcast, “The Optimistic Outlook“ on Sept. 24. They discussed the U.S. manufacturing labor shortage and the need to change negative perceptions by highlighting career opportunities in the sector.
Iverson’s family has deep roots in manufacturing, and he noted significant shifts in how the industry is perceived. He recalls manufacturing being a cornerstone of U.S. society in the 20th century, but as the country moved toward a service-based economy, the public began to undervalue its importance.
“Too many families think everything is made in China, but that’s far from the truth,” Iverson said, highlighting that U.S. manufacturing remains strong but misinterpreted.
As the founder of CHAMPION Now, Iverson seeks to reshape how manufacturing is perceived in the U.S. He advocates for introducing middle and high school students to the industry through initiatives like Camp CHAMP, where older students mentor younger ones to spark interest in manufacturing.
“We need to inspire young people to know that manufacturing still exists in the U.S. and is a great career path,” he said.
Iverson believes that partnership between government, nonprofits, and the private sector will be crucial. He emphasized the need for dynamic educators who can lead the next generation.
“We need more instructors who naturally get it and can lead the charge,” he said, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership to keep U.S. manufacturing competitive.
Iverson also noted the challenge of engaging parents whose views of manufacturing can influence their children’s career choices.
“Parents have these predisposed opinions that have become antiquated, and our country’s future depends on them understanding that manufacturing isn’t what it used to be,” he said.
In fact, connecting the growing gaming community with digital manufacturing might make it easier to engage young people, Iverson added.
He shared success stories from the manufacturing industry and emphasized the importance of diversifying the workforce by increasing the number of women and people of color, noting the untapped potential.
Iverson also highlighted the need for mentorship, including “reverse mentorship,” where younger generations teach older colleagues digital tools. He believes this is as vital as traditional mentorship, fostering mutual learning. He also supports the value of multigenerational teams.
“Manufacturing has been the best-kept secret for the last 35 to 40 years,” he said. “But we’re starting to turn the tide. Young people today are advancing faster, earning more, and being recognized more quickly than ever before.”
With initiatives like CHAMPION Now, Iverson inspires future generations, ensuring manufacturing remains a key driver in the evolving U.S. economy.
“The future is bright,” he said, “and manufacturing will no longer need to be the best-kept secret.”