Industrial manufacturing forecasts are optimistic according to PwC’s Q3 2013 Manufacturing Barometer, which surveys U.S. based executives in large multinational industrial businesses. Industries are hiring in a myriad of quality sectors including aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, green manufacturing and technology. Despite the positive findings, 77% of the respondents cited the need to fill certain skills gaps over the next 12-24 months. Due to the continual advances in technology, the skills gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) fields are widening. Quality will look at what education, industry and government are doing to bridge these gaps and bring skilled workers to employers.