Manufacturing Universities: A Catalytic Step Toward Revitalizing American Manufacturing
“Creating a network of U.S. manufacturing universities would address several systemic challenges that plague America’s manufacturing economy.”
From Industry Week
Robert Atkinson President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
While there are some signs that American manufacturing is beginning to recover from the unprecedented losses of the 2000s, the reality is that U.S. manufacturing value added still has not recovered from the Great Recession, and in 2012 remained 7.4% below 2007 levels.
While some believe that America’s manufacturing recovery has already “turned the corner,” the truth is that policymakers have much more work to do in establishing an institutional environment that supports the competitiveness of America’s manufacturing economy on a sustainable basis.
This will include lowering the corporate tax rate and increasing trade enforcement, among other steps. But one component should be establishing a national system of “manufacturing universities” that incentivize post-secondary university programs to focus more on advanced manufacturing, while producing graduates better equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in emerging, innovation-based industries.
Creating a network of U.S. manufacturing universities would address several systemic challenges that plague America’s manufacturing economy. Read More…
