Addressing the skills gap: Workforce Development & Training

Some 78 million new jobs will be created globally in the next five years, according to the World Economic Forum’s “The Future of Jobs Report 2025.” In the U.S. manufacturing sector alone, there could be as many as 3.8 million new employees needed by 2033, yet nearly half of these roles are at risk of going unfilled if manufacturers don’t address the skill gaps.

For 2026, this means that manufacturers must face the reality of their skills gaps and identify what their workforce needs to succeed. The U.S. faces challenges from multiple sides. On one hand, an aging workforce, and, on the other, a skills gap that’s widening as manufacturers continue to see digital services as a firm part of their future.

Automation has the potential to alleviate the demand for advanced knowledge and experience, particularly where it’s difficult to fill talent gaps. It can give machine shops the starting point for design and programming, reduce the need for experienced machinists who can tell exactly why a machine is malfunctioning and can handle tricky tool and component setups. These examples hardly cover all aspects of manufacturing, but they prove a point: automation can help overcome a lack of skills and availability of people, both in engineering teams and on the workshop floor.

In 2026, the expectation is that manufacturers will continue thinking strategically about where their skills come from and how they’re filling gaps in knowledge. Part of that equation will be how companies invest in structured training and upskilling ecosystems. For instance, initiatives like the Sandvik Coromant Academy are already working to support the industry by providing modular training, digital learning platforms and partnerships with educational institutions such as the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.