SME Mission Critical: Workforce 2030 Solutions from Tooling U-SME

The manufacturing industry is at a critical point. For far too long, US manufacturing has been challenged by a persistent number of open positions as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that’s driven by a lack of available educated, trained and skilled workers. There are still countless good-paying, long-term careers available, yet this dynamic landscape highlights a clear need for change and a focus on building a more resilient, competitive, and skilled workforce.

This is precisely the challenge that SME, a non-profit dedicated to advancing manufacturing, is tackling head-on. SME’s mission is to support the industry as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem by accelerating technology adoption and building North America’s talent and capabilities. A core part of this strategy is Tooling U-SME, which provides a range of training solutions to help manufacturers prepare and upskill their entire workforce—from new hires to seasoned team members.

At SME’s recent Manufacturing Technology Series EAST event in Massachusetts, the Mission Critical: Workforce 2030 exhibit showcased these solutions. Greg Jones, Director of Strategic Programs and Partnerships with SME, sat down with Jon Lang, Senior Business Development Specialist with Tooling U-SME, to discuss how the organization is helping manufacturers address the current talent crisis.

Unlocking Human Potential Through Multi-Faceted Learning

A key component to SME’s strategy is a multi-faceted approach to learning delivery. As Senior Business Development Specialist with Tooling U-SME, Lang provides critical insight into these training solutions. He explained that a foundational component is Tooling U-SME's extensive library of online classes. According to Lang, the course catalog is constantly growing, currently “approaching 700 classes now.” Tooling U-SME’s content team is constantly working to update existing content and creating new classes to reflect the latest industry technology and best practices.

These resources are designed to help onboard and upskill multiple roles within an organization, including production, engineering, quality assurance, sales, and management. While the classes cover core areas like industrial technology, CNC, maintenance, inspection, electrical, and pneumatics, Lang noted the strategic growth in high-demand fields such as Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing.

Accessibility is key to this talent-building mission. Jones noted that companies and individuals can explore the offerings with ease. According to Lang, "If you go to learn.toolingu.com, there's a couple different ways people contact us through there.” For example, Tooling U-SME offers a free trial of select online classes that allows visitors to quickly evaluate the quality of the training.

Immersive Learning: VR Labs

While online courses provide a strong knowledge base, some skills require a more hands-on approach. This is where Tooling U-SME's Virtual Reality labs come into play. Lang described the organization’s "learn, practice, perform" model, explaining that the VR labs offer a virtual environment for users to practice skills they've learned in the online courses.

Jones noted that the VR labs often start with foundational safety training, a critical area for any manufacturing environment. Lang elaborated on this, giving a specific example. “One of the big ones that I always like to talk about in the industry, as you mentioned the maintenance stuff, is a lockout tag out,” he said. He explained that for small to medium-sized shops that can't afford machine downtime for training, the VR environment provides a safe, low-cost alternative. “We can do that in the VR world to at least get them the idea of, ‘We’ve got to pull the lever down. We’ve got to put the tags on. We’ve got to put the locks on,’ and all that kind of good stuff. So they're more comfortable when they have to do it to an actual machine.”

Jones observed that while VR training is still growing, it's gaining significant traction. Lang agreed, noting, “It's a growing thing. We're seeing more and more companies get involved with it,” he said. “We've had people at these shows say, ‘Yes, I want this. Have someone call me and come out.’” Visitors to any of SME’s U.S.-based events may stop by the SME Insights Mission Critical experience and try the VR labs themselves.

Is Your Workforce Ready? The Readiness Assessment

Beyond training, Tooling U-SME helps manufacturers assess their current state of preparation for the future. The readiness assessment is a tool designed to help companies understand where their organization stands in its ability to attract, develop, and retain talent.

Jones highlighted the gravity of the situation, “Right now they're projecting by 2030 that we're going to be losing about two million of our workforce and that's due to retirements and other circumstances like that.”

The readiness assessment, a short survey, is a quick but eye-opening experience intended to inspire manufacturers to prepare for this impending talent gap. Lang emphasized its purpose, stating, “What we're talking about now is, is your company ready for that?” Lang said, “Are you bringing in your new workforce? Are you training up your existing workforce and being able to retain those people to help fill those positions?”

The assessment is easily accessible online at toolingu.com/readiness and can be completed in just five minutes. Participants receive immediate results, and for those who take it at one of SME’s events, the assessment can serve as a starting point for a deeper conversation with one of the onsite Tooling U-SME representatives. As Jones said, this allows them “to sit down in the Think Tank here and have a conversation about what their needs look like as compared to other companies.”

By offering a comprehensive suite of solutions—from an ever-expanding library of online courses to cutting-edge VR labs and a critical Readiness Assessment, and more—Tooling U-SME is a vital part of SME’s broader strategy. These resources are designed to help manufacturers adapt, grow, and build the skilled workforce needed to overcome the current industry challenges and secure North America’s economic future.

To learn more, watch the full interview below and visit learn.toolingu.com.