Problem: The U. S. manufacturing industry encounters a critical skills shortage, threatening growth and long-term sustainability. This challenge is compounded by the rapid advancement of technology, further widening the skills gap as workforce competencies lag behind industry needs. Despite its importance, limited research systematically addresses these issues. Understanding the gap is essential to aligning workforce capabilities with evolving demands. Solution: This study utilizes a qualitative approach to investigate the skills gap through insights from industry leaders. Guided by Becker’s Human Capital Theory, semi-structured Zoom interviews were conducted with manufacturing leaders across the U.S. Thematic analysis revealed two key themes: (1) integrating talent development strategies and (2) adopting advanced technologies to enhance workforce capabilities. These findings provide actionable insights for addressing workforce challenges. Stakeholders: Manufacturing leaders, human resource development professionals, and policymakers are key stakeholders. Collaboration among these groups is vital to bridging the skills gap and preparing a future-ready workforce. © The Author(s) 2025.
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