Labor

  • A man in a gray cap and jacket and yellow safety goggles working on a automotive component.
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    Manufacturing industry lost 2,000 jobs in April: BLS

    The transportation equipment sector, which includes motor vehicle and trailer manufacturing, lost the most jobs with 3,600. Auto part maker First Brand Group has closed plants as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan.

    By • May 11, 2026
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    Courtesy of Purdue University
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    Defense Department increases microelectronics workforce program contract to $100M

    The Purdue University-led SCALE consortium aims to attract and develop a skilled technical workforce to support DOD’s technologies across 35 schools, such as Arizona State University.

    By • May 8, 2026
  • A person uses a torch cutter with a backwards hat in a manufacturing facility Explore the Trendline➔
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    Trendline

    Upskilling a Modern Manufacturing Workforce

    As manufacturing systems change, often becoming more automated and technical, employers are increasingly looking for ways to attract a more skilled workforce.

    By Manufacturing Dive staff
  • Boston-based startup Tutor Intelligence has launched its Data Factory 1, a fleet of 100 robots autonomously learning how to manipulate physical objects.
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    Nathan Owens/Manufacturing Dive
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    Massachusetts startup launches ‘largest robot data factory in the US’

    Manufacturing Dive recently visited Tutor Intelligence's new headquarters in Watertown, where the firm is seeing growing demand for its autonomous robots.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • The back of a woman holding a red and white Machinists on strike sign at dusk.
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    Retrieved from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers/Facebook on May 06, 2026
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    1,350 Olin workers ratify contract, end strike at Missouri Winchester factory

    IAM Local 778-represented employees will return to work on Thursday at the company’s Lake City Army Ammunition manufacturing plant in Independence.

    By • Updated May 7, 2026
  • 2026 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM’s US manufacturing investments surpass $6B in one year

    The company’s latest commitments totaling $830 million will support SUV and truck production at major facilities in Michigan and Ohio.

    By • May 4, 2026
  • A person wearing a "Stay Golden" t-shirt stands in a GE Appliances facility
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    Permission granted by GE Appliances
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    Updated federal guidance and funds may boost manufacturing apprenticeships

    Arkansas’ Department of Commerce, which is managing a $35.8 million federal incentive fund, expects high interest. Manufacturers such as GE Appliances say updated federal guidelines may make their programs even more efficient.

    By Michelle No • May 4, 2026
  • A worker wearing protective gear watching an electric furnance in the background.
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    Courtesy of U.S. Steel
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    US Steel to invest $1.9B in a ‘first-of-its-kind’ direct reduced iron plant

    The expansion will bolster its domestic supply chain and allow the company to feed DRI directly into the furnace while still hot, a spokesperson said.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • Jeff Burnstein, president of the Assocation for Advancing Automation, testifies before the House subcommittee on research and technology on April 21.
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    Retrieved from Youtube.
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    Robotics stakeholders urge Congress to ‘act now’ to regain global leadership

    The United States will fall further behind China in deploying robotics with artificial intelligence without federal support, experts said at a subcommittee hearing Tuesday.

    By • April 24, 2026
  • A drone in the sky, flying over a black vehicle.
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    Courtesy of Skydio
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    Skydio pledges $3.5B to expand US drone manufacturing

    The funds will go toward establishing a fifth facility that will be “five times larger” than its other facilities in California, the Silicon Valley-based company said.

    By • April 24, 2026
  • A rendering of AbbVie's $1.4 billion manufacturing campus slated for Durham, North Carolina.
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    Courtesy of AbbVie
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    Drugmaker AbbVie chooses North Carolina for $1.4B manufacturing campus

    The 185-acre site will be the company’s largest single investment to date, with a focus on small-volume parenteral products like vials and prefilled syringes.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • Four people in dark purple polo shirts working on a CNC machine.
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    Manufacturers spent about $32B training workers: MI survey

    The Manufacturing Institute’s workforce survey also found that companies are spending nearly 5 more hours training their existing employees than they did in 2019.

    By • April 22, 2026
  • Union Pacific intermodal
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    Courtesy of Union Pacific 

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    Union Pacific settles dispute with rail supplier, reaches 7-year agreement

    Rocky Mountain Steel plans to operate a new, long-rail mill in Pueblo, Colorado, this year as part of a $1 billion investment in domestic steel production.

    By • April 20, 2026
  • Employees working at the U. S. Steel Gary Works pig iron caster.
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    Courtesy of U.S. Steel
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    US Steel to restart Gary Tin Mill production

    The company said it will spend up to $20 million to support 225 jobs, as well as costs related to equipment inspections, maintenance and materials to resume operations.

    By • April 17, 2026
  • A blurred red and white "On strike" sign on top of grass, and a man in the background holding a white and blue "Proud union home" sign.
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    Retrieved from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers/Facebook on April 16, 2026
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    Olin Winchester employees seek an improved work-life balance

    One IAM Local 778-represented laborer said he had to work 60 hours a week for nearly four years. Union leaders said they are in it “for the long haul” to reach a fair employer-worker agreement.

    By • April 17, 2026
  • A construction worker sips water on a hot day.
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    Mark Makela via Getty Images
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    OSHA extends heat emphasis program

    The previous initiative lapsed on April 8, but two days later, the safety agency announced an updated outreach, resource and inspection program that will run through 2031.

    By Zachary Phillips • April 17, 2026
  • Six people in sports coats and slacks smiling at the camera with dark brown background.
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    Courtesy of L3Harris Technologies
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    L3Harris Technologies plans $1.3B solid rocket motor expansion in Virginia

    The investment builds on the missile manufacturer’s previous $41.2 million investment at its Orange County facilities.

    By • April 16, 2026
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    Google to provide $10M for Manufacturing Institute AI training programs

    The money will be used to develop two artificial intelligence courses and expand apprenticeships, Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee said.

    By • April 15, 2026
  • A worker climbing an industrial emergency ladder, wearing a yellow hard hat and reflective vest, and safety glasses.
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    OSHA proposes removing 2036 deadline in Walking-Working Surfaces standard

    The proposed rule would give employers in industries such as manufacturing, waste and warehousing more time to equip all fixed ladders with a personal fall arrest or safety system.

    By • April 14, 2026
  • Two people standing outside holding signs that inform passerbyers of its union strike against its company.
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    Retrieved from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers/Facebook on April 09, 2026
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    Over 1,300 Winchester workers strike at Olin factory in Missouri

    The IAM union said “very little production” is taking place at the Winchester ammunition plant, which produces small arms cartridges, such as the 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 Caliber, for the U.S. military.

    By • Updated April 10, 2026
  • A blonde woman in a blue sports coat and white blouse standing behind a microphone and poodium.
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    Mike Kropf via Getty Images
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    Virginia governor signs 4 laws establishing manufacturing grant programs

    The new legislation will support upcoming facilities valued at approximately $7.1 billion by Avio USA, Hitachi Energy, Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • GrayMatter Robotics technology performs autonomous grinding.
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    Courtesy of GrayMatter Robotics
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    US’ largest shipbuilder teams with GrayMatter Robotics on physical AI

    The partnership builds on HII’s automation strategy following a welding-focused deal with Path Robotics in February.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • Production line workers dressed in blue uniforms with yellow stripes on sleeves and wearing a white mask and blue hairnet, collecting baked biscuits from the conveyor belt .
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    Manufacturers test AI-translation tech to improve worker communications

    Companies like Volvo and Mars are also using digital-first platforms to enhance document translations for improved safety and regulatory compliance.

    By • April 6, 2026
  • Two workers inspect a vehicle body on the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
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    Manufacturing employment bounces back in March, adding 15K jobs

    The transportation equipment and fabricated metal products sectors gained the most jobs last month, while the chemical sector lost the most.

    By • April 3, 2026
  • Six people wearing blue protected coats and goggles
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    Courtesy of Boeing
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    Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE, Honeywell Aerospace ink deals with Defense Department

    The companies are ramping up weapons production after meeting with President Donald Trump in March amid the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • A black fence connected by brick, with a security checkpoint at the building entrance and two white buildings in the background.
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    Courtesy of The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation
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    ACMI, John Hopkins University collaborate to build manufacturing workforce in US

    The university’s Whiting School of Engineering will create safety and training initiatives focused on the company’s National Security Industrial Hub and Munitions campus in Bloomfield, Indiana, which broke ground in February.

    By • April 1, 2026