The statistics are staggering. Studies from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute project that 2.1 million jobs could remain unfilled by 2030, potentially costing the U.S. economy $1 trillion annually and jeopardizing our position as a global manufacturing leader. Second only to China as a manufacturer, the United States accounts for nearly 16% of global manufacturing output, with key strengths in high-value industries like aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, and a leading position in private-sector R&D.

How will the American economy fill these positions and maintain its standing globally? Let’s explore one solution to bridge the gap and encourage a robust workforce in the coming years: free training offered through the Advanced Manufacturing Training and Expansion Program. 

What is the AMTEP Free Training Program? 

The Advanced Manufacturing Training and Expansion Program (AMTEP) is a free, hands-on training initiative on Massachusetts’ North Shore that prepares unemployed, underemployed, career shifters, or inexperienced job seekers for careers in manufacturing. It offers no-cost courses in essential skills such as CNC machining, welding, and electromechanical assembly. The career pathways the program offers include: CNC Machine Operator, Welding, Electronic Technician, Electro-Mechanical Assembly, Quality Control Inspector, and Robotics. 

In partnership with Northeast Manufacturing Training Consortium (NAMC),  MassHire North Shore, and supported by the GE Aerospace Foundation and local technical schools, AMTEP aims to bridge the skills gap by offering no-cost training to job seekers and filling roles for local manufacturing employers. This is done through offering roughly 300 hours of technical training in areas such as CNC machining, welding, robotics, and electro-mechanical assembly. 

Benefits of Free Training

The free training program at AMTEP is mutually beneficial to those being trained for careers in manufacturing and to the manufacturing industry as a whole. The manufacturing industry benefits from a prepared, well-trained workforce. Trainees gain access to a high-demand career that offers good pay without the burden of college debt. 

Other benefits of offering free training to individuals interested in the manufacturing field include enhanced competency, which can be a huge cost saver for manufacturing companies that can hire and onboard without weeks (if not months) of training on their own dime. 

Pre-trained employees are also familiar with compliance issues that can take valuable time away from a new employee’s workday. By training on compliance concepts, manufacturing companies understand that individuals have some working knowledge of topics such as safety and anti-harassment training. 

For graduates of the AMTEP training programs, the job placement rate is 83% to 85%, further proving why taking advantage of this valuable program is a good idea.

The evidence is clear: free training programs like AMTEP are an essential investment in the future of American manufacturing. By equipping job seekers with in-demand skills at no cost, these programs simultaneously empower individuals with high-wage career pathways and deliver a prepared, compliant, and highly competent workforce to the industry. The 83% to 85% job placement rate speaks for itself. Investing in no-cost, industry-aligned training today is the most effective strategy to close the skills gap and secure a more innovative and competitive tomorrow.