The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently hosted its fourth annual Workforce Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference, held at the Manufacturing Institute—NAM’s workforce development and education partner—explored conversations around skills-based hiring, talent investment and the growing impact of AI on the paper and packaging industry. Caitlin Salaverria, President of ICPF, attended the conference and shared her learnings and impactful takeaways of the event.
One foundational element of ICPF’s Strategic Road Map is evaluating partnership opportunities with existing national programs. The Manufacturing Institute is a great place to get connected with, offering a multitude of resources and solutions to manufacturing workforce needs.
Change the narrative on talent investment: Across most companies, a big challenge is developing the business case for talent investment. Know it is possible to quantify the impact of labor investment. Today, market leaders are investing across six pillars of talent excellence, tailored to address specific organizational challenges: work design, talent planning, attracting & onboarding, talent development, talent effectiveness and culture & experience. In order to get started, it is imperative to have human resources, operations and finance all working together toward talent investment goals.ICPF’s Workforce Development Report is a helpful resource as you target talent investment. Each quarter, we provide ideas and resources to help industry companies attract, retain and develop a talented workforce in today’s competitive environment.
Reimagine frontline leadership in the age of AI: Embedding an AI-positive culture works to get all levels of employees excited, ignited and enabled when it comes to AI. Frontline leaders are navigating the AI-enabled workplace by shaping employee experience, strengthening leadership skills and guiding teams through AI-driven change. Attendees got a sneak peek at the soon to be released MI and PwC 2025 Frontline Leader of the Future survey.
Explore community partnership models in action to address workforce challenges: By creating internship and apprenticeship programs, sitting on workforce development boards, doing philanthropic work, and connecting with local schools of all levels, you can create career pathway partnerships.
FAME Program: The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) is an advanced manufacturing workforce education and development run by the Manufacturing Institute with locations in 17 states. FAME provides global-best workforce development through strong technical training, integration of manufacturing core competencies, intensive professional practices, and hands-on experience to build the future of the modern manufacturing industry. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program administered under the FAME model leverages a work/learn framework to weave technical knowledge, professional behaviors and distinct manufacturing core exercises into a focused co-op experience to build global-best, entry-level, multiskilled maintenance technicians.
The FAME model facilitates employer-led partnerships between your company and local educational institutions and establishes a channel for recruiting diverse, high-achieving and career-oriented students. Once established, the cooperative of local employers that make up the FAME Chapter will generate a continuous pipeline of skilled technicians through the AMT program.
ICPF is aware of industry companies that are already taking advantage of this program. You can join a local chapter or start your own if there isn’t one already in your area.
Heroes MAKE America Program: The Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program provides integrated certification and career-readiness training in partnership with local community colleges to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military spouses for rewarding careers in manufacturing. With backgrounds that often include significant experience in advanced technology, former service members are ideal candidates for manufacturing careers and poised to be natural leaders in the manufacturing industry.
To support and promote your company’s efforts, ICPF has curated an array of recruitment and retention resources available for free on the ICPF website.
The Summit reinforced the message that manufacturers must take action as they face shifting workforce expectations, economic uncertainty, and rapid advances in technology. In this environment, collaboration is not optional – it is essential.
Visit careersincorrugated.com for more information.
