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 labor shortage in U.S. manufacturing and the need to shift negative perceptions of manufacturing careers by encouraging the sector’s opportunities.
Iverson’s family is deeply rooted in manufacturing, and he said he has seen significant changes in how the industry is perceived. He recalls manufacturing as a cornerstone of U.S. society throughout the 20th century, yet as the U.S. transitioned to a service-based economy, the public began to undervalue the significance of manufacturing.
“Too many families think everything is made in China, but that’s far from the truth,” Iverson said, highlighting that American manufacturing remains strong but misinterpreted.
As the founder of CHAMPION Now, Iverson aims to reshape the perception of manufacturing 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, encouraging an 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 of individuals in the manufacturing industry, and highlighted the importance of diversifying the workforce by increasing the number of women and people of color in manufacturing, pointing to untapped potential.
Iverson believes mentorship is another area where the industry can grow. He explained that “reverse mentorship,” where younger generations teach older colleagues digital tools, is just as necessary for this industry as traditional mentorship, which fosters mutual learning. He also supports 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 that manufacturing will remain 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.”