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How can Buffalo Niagara manufacturers succeed in the advanced manufacturing era while dealing with serious workforce needs and supply chain disruptions?

An impressive group of 40+ companies came together on January 19 to kick off the BNP Manufacturing Industry Leaders Forum and to tackle these pressing questions.

Joined by Manufacturing ILF Strategic Partners Northland Workforce Development Center and Buffalo Manufacturing Works, the conversation focused on ways to capitalize on regional opportunities and resources to address widespread industrial pain points.

Competing for Talent

In Q4 of 2022, private sector employment increased by 12,800 (2.5%) in Western New York, with 1,800 of those positions in the manufacturing sector. Despite job gains and steady declines in the unemployment rate, our region’s manufacturers are struggling to fill critical positions. According to a Lightcast Industry Snapshot provided to the ILF by Invest Buffalo Niagara, the Western New York manufacturing sector currently has:

-70,000 open positions

-21,451 employees retiring soon

-A median job posting duration of 29 days

Connecting to Workforce Solutions at the Industry Leaders Forum

BNP staff provided Manufacturing ILF members with Employ Buffalo Niagara tools designed to build talent pipelines for employers and career pathways for job seekers. Employ Buffalo Niagara offers multiple workforce development programs. In different ways, these programs all work to create sustainable solutions for barriers to employment, upskilling low-wage earners and preparing job seekers to meet companies’ evolving expectations. Learn more:

Benefits Cliff Calculator

Career Pathways

Talent Pipeline Management

Stephen Tucker, President & CEO of Northland Workforce Training Center, discussed programs that employers can be a part of, linking to accredited job training. Northland has a current graduation rate of 60% and provides extensive wrap services to participating students and graduates. Impressively, 87% of Northland graduates find a job placement with a starting annual salary of $40,000.  Employers, connect with Northland here.

CHIPS+ as a Game Changer

The federal CHIPS+ ACT of  2022 has the potential to reduce our country’s reliance on foreign sources while investing in local workforce, bolstering innovation, and significantly impacting the future of American manufacturing in the process. Buffalo Manufacturing Works is a key stakeholder in connecting this new opportunity to Western New York. Elizabeth Callahan, Director of External Relations and Special Programs presented ILF members with an opportunity to become stakeholders in the CHIPs+ resource planning process. Connect with Buffalo Manufacturing Works here.

Learn more about the new BNP Industry Leaders Forum here.