The International Sign Association (ISA) is partnering with The Manufacturing Institute to help address the manufacturing skills gap.
The International Sign Association is the leading trade organization supporting, promoting, and improving the on-premise sign industry. The Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, is a leading authority on the attraction, qualification, and development of manufacturing talent.
“Workforce development in the sign industry is a priority for ISA,” said Rich Gottwald, ISA executive vice president. “We are excited about this partnership because it allows ISA to tap into the excellent resources of the Manufacturing Institute so that together we can ensure the sign industry has a workforce prepared for the future.”
The two organizations will work to provide and implement solutions in an effort to fill the talent pool and close the skills gap, such as the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System. The Skills Certification System is the flagship education initiative of the manufacturing sector. The Skills Certification System is being used to integrate nationally portable, industry-recognized credentials—their learning standards and content—into high school, community college, and university programs of study to build the nation’s technical workforce.
“In this highly competitive global market, our manufacturers’ business success is tied directly to their ability to innovate, and the single most important factor in their innovation capacity is a skilled workforce,” said Jennifer McNelly, president, The Manufacturing Institute. “We now have a solution, the Skills Certification System, to help address the skills gap directly affecting the talent pipeline for manufacturers. ISA has taken on these challenges, already serving as a leader in the manufacturing sector. We are pleased to welcome ISA as a new partner in our efforts to address the shortage of skilled workers in the United States.”
The partnership will also provide opportunities to support talent recruitment, building on current initiatives like The Manufacturing Institute’s Dream It. Do It. Program and national Manufacturing Day.
