Annual Summit Focuses on Workforce Challenges in New Hampshire Manufacturing
As New Hampshire gears up for its annual manufacturing summit, industry leaders recognize both opportunities and challenges linked to workforce development. Tony Fernandez, president of the N.H. Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NH MEP), emphasized the significance of cultivating young talent while addressing major issues such as affordable housing and childcare that threaten to drive them away once they’re job-ready.
The Importance of Workforce Development
Fernandez highlighted that while New Hampshire has a strong pool of young individuals who can enter the manufacturing sector through community colleges and universities, barriers like housing and healthcare must be tackled to retain this talent. The NH MEP, located at the University of New Hampshire’s John Olsen Manufacturing Center, assists about 1,700 small to medium-sized manufacturing firms, which are vital to the state’s economic health.
Aging Workforce and Succession Planning
With New Hampshire having one of the oldest populations in the nation, Brian Knapp, NH MEP’s operations and supply chain director, stressed the urgency of involving youth in manufacturing education early on. A significant portion of the existing workforce is nearing retirement, leaving companies at risk of losing key personnel without proper succession planning. The summit will feature discussions on training younger managers to take over from aging owners.
Tariffs and Supply Chain Challenges
Manufacturers are also facing challenges due to tariffs introduced during the trade war with Canada, which particularly affects local companies relying on imported materials. Knapp mentioned the importance of connecting with the broader MEP network to mitigate these issues by sourcing domestically.
Growth in Advanced Manufacturing
Exciting developments in the region include Vicor Corporation’s expansion, which will add up to 1 million square feet of manufacturing space and approximately 1,200 new jobs in Merrimack and Hooksett. Other notable entries into the state include United Therapeutics Corporation and Analogic, both of which illustrate NH’s appeal for advanced manufacturing and tech innovations.
In summary, upcoming discussions at the summit will focus on addressing the pressing issues of workforce retention, the aging demographic in the industry, and the potential impacts of tariffs, alongside the welcoming news of significant new manufacturing projects in the state.
