As Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industries face growing workforce challenges, industry leaders and educators are exploring innovative solutions to secure the state’s future. One such effort materialized through a chapter in the Sagamore Institute’s Workforce 2040, authored by Conexus Indiana President and CEO Fred Cartwright. The chapter posed a critical question: What will it take for Indiana to ignite an era of manufacturing renaissance, and what barriers must be overcome to spur it? 

In writing the chapter, Conexus Indiana consulted thought leaders from across the industry, including three of the state’s top educational institutions—Butler University, Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University. The group agreed that Indiana’s small- to mid-sized manufacturers (SMEs), which make up 80% of the state’s firms, are at a critical juncture. As outlined in the resulting chapter, “The Manufacturing Renaissance,” to ensure the sector’s future prosperity, AML business leaders must not only prioritize technology investments but also increase investments in workforce development and training programs, including:

Following the chapter’s publication, Conexus hosted a conversation with representatives from the educational institutions that contributed content to the book chapter. Moderated by Conexus’ Fred Cartwright, the dialogue revealed an urgent need for collaboration across sectors and institutions to build the skilled workforce pipelines necessary for Indiana to thrive in an era of manufacturing renaissance. Key themes emerged around changing perceptions of manufacturing and the importance of leveraging powerful partnerships across the ecosystem.

Changing Perceptions and Stimulating Cross-Sector Engagement
Dr. Ajay Malshe, a Distinguished Professor from Purdue University and co-director of Purdue’s eXcellence in Manufacturing Operations (XMO), opened the discussion by addressing the perception gap in manufacturing. He emphasized the importance of shifting perceptions of manufacturing from the outdated image of “old factories with chimneys” and recognizing it as a modern sector that fosters job creation and improves quality of life. “Manufacturing is a contact sport,” he noted, urging the industry to embrace advanced tools like AI to capture and transfer the expertise of retiring workers to the next generation of talent.

Jane Siegler, Associate Professor at Butler University, echoed Malshe’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of engagement across sectors and institutions. “It takes all of us together,” she remarked, emphasizing that collaboration must break free from academic silos to include all stakeholders–from high school students to truck drivers and AI specialists. This cross-sector engagement is essential to filling the diverse array of roles that will drive Indiana’s manufacturing future.

Leveraging Educational Partnerships
Molly Dodge, Senior Vice President of Workforce and Careers at Ivy Tech Community College, emphasized the vital role of partnerships in identifying workforce needs and crafting tailored solutions for industry stakeholders. Ivy Tech has long been a leader in technical education, offering programs like youth apprenticeships and opportunities for upskilling. “We need to leverage our partnerships across higher ed institutions, industry and intermediaries like Conexus to create workforce pipeline strategies,” Dodge said. She also stressed the significance of stackable credentials in preparing students for technician-level roles in Indiana’s emerging industries.

Malshe added that Purdue’s XMO program aims to integrate manufacturing, operations and supply chain management, creating a seamless connection between academic learning and industry needs. He pointed out that Indiana’s approximately 8,000 small and mid-sized manufacturers are not just key contributors to the economy but vital assets that bolster America’s supply chain resilience.

Optimism for Indiana’s Future
Despite the workforce challenges, the group expressed optimism about Indiana’s manufacturing future. Malshe underscored the importance of developing sector-agnostic skills that can be applied across industries, aided by AI and digitization. This approach, he explained, will help Indiana’s manufacturers remain innovative, resilient and globally competitive.

Siegler also emphasized the need to attract and retain both talent and companies to our state. “We need to create an environment where our talent can thrive and our companies can thrive,” she said, adding that collaboration across political and educational lines is crucial to fostering this success.

Dodge rounded out the discussion by expressing optimism about AML employers’ increasing their commitment to retaining talent and preparing for the future. She referenced research indicating that Indiana will need to upskill or reskill 82,000 Hoosiers by 2030, underscoring the pressing need for new educational pathways.

Building Powerful Partnerships
As the conversation concluded, Cartwright reaffirmed the importance of moving from “loose collaboration to thoughtful coordination” across sectors. He also stressed that building powerful partnerships is crucial for Indiana’s success, noting, “The states and regions that do this best are going to be the clear winners.”

 These actions will ensure that Indiana remains globally competitive, attracts top talent and drives innovation in its manufacturing sector.

Workforce 2040, which also features insights from CICP CEO, Melina Kennedy, Ascend Indiana, AgriNovus and BioCrossroads, is now available from the Sagamore Institute on Amazon.com.