Google announced $10 million to the Manufacturing Institute—the 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. The funding will support the MI in developing AI skills training programs for manufacturing workers and expand employer-led apprenticeship programs via the MI’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME USA). The initiative is part of Google.org’s AI Opportunity Fund that helps Americans learn AI skills at no cost in collaboration with workforce development and education organizations across the country. 

“Google.org wants the manufacturers who build our world to have access to the best technology for the job,” said Google.org Global Head Maggie Johnson. “We’re proud to support the Manufacturing Institute’s efforts with our funding and technological expertise. This initiative will bring hands-on AI skills to the shop floor, helping manufacturing students and workers shape this new era of American innovation.”

“So much of the narrative around AI and the workplace is fear-based. One thing we’ve learned in manufacturing time and again is that as new technologies are introduced, it is essential to ensure our workers build the skills needed to engage. AI is transforming our world, and preparing our workers to engage and deploy these tools will set them and manufacturers up for success,” said MI President Carolyn Lee. “The MI is grateful for Google’s recognition and trust in our ability to carry out this important work.”

The U.S. is facing a significant manufacturing skills gap. By 2033, it’s projected that nearly 1.9 million manufacturing roles could go unfilled if the workforce is not equipped with the necessary technical skills.

Google.org’s funding will enable the MI to develop two new courses for shop floor workers: AI 101 for Manufacturing and Advanced AI for Manufacturing Technicians. The 101 course will contextualize existing AI training from Google specifically for the manufacturing environment, while the AI for Advanced Manufacturing Technicians  course will be newly developed by the MI. The funding will help the MI provide Google’s new AI Professional Certificate to current and future manufacturing workers at no cost.

As part of the initiative, the MI will also launch new FAME chapters in at least 15 new regions, while developing and embedding the AI for Advanced Manufacturing Technicians course across all FAME chapters. This will help develop a pipeline of skilled maintenance technicians, ensuring this critical segment of the workforce gains the skills needed to deploy and engage with AI effectively. This best-in-class program is a proven model for training advanced maintenance technicians and building durable talent pipelines for manufacturers today in 46 hubs across the country. To further champion these learners, Google.org is also supporting the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to provide Work Ethic Scholarships to FAME students, a program that will provide financial assistance to eligible participants completing their manufacturing programs.

This builds on Google’s previous commitment to support infrastructure and skilled trades. Google recently announced a similar effort with the electrical training ALLIANCE to train electrical workers throughout the country. 

For more information, visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org or google.org.