Several major manufacturers across various industries – including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Nvidia, Apple, Johnson & Johnson and GE Appliances – have committed billions of dollars to expand their United States-based manufacturing. To support this growth, the U.S. manufacturing sector will need up to 3.8 million new workers between 2025 and 2033, yet nearly half of those roles could go unfilled due to skills and applicant gaps.

“The shortage of skilled workers isn’t a future concern; it’s a pressing issue today,” said Andrew Ahrendt, director of national manufacturing for PCL Construction. “If we’re going to grow the workforce, we need to connect with students before they arrive at university and select a different career path.”

Manufacturing Day, an annual event organized by the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM), is one way universities and potential employers can work together to expose high school students to career paths within the industry. At a fall event at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), high school students heard from current and former manufacturing students and connected with companies eager to support the next wave of talent, including PCL. Ahrendt hosted a booth at the event on behalf of PCL. 

Joining Ahrendt at the Manufacturing Day event was Jared Heinzerling, an integrated construction technology specialist with PCL’s Integrated Construction Services team. This group provides operational engineering support and technology solutions to enhance PCL’s construction projects.

Heinzerling brought along a reality capture device, a high-tech tool that uses laser scanners, drones and 3D imagery technology to create digital models of manufacturing construction sites. These models play a critical role in improving accuracy in planning and execution by enabling teams to monitor progress, quality, identify potential issues early and maintain alignment among stakeholders throughout a project’s lifecycle.

“We use the most cutting-edge technology the industry has available to address the rapidly changing construction landscape,” said Heinzerling. “Keeping a finger on the pulse of what is available to use and ensuring we are keeping pace is how we drive efficiency across every sector, including those that pose unique technical challenges like manufacturing.”

Tools like reality capture are essential for efficiently building the advanced facilities and infrastructure required to support modern manufacturing. Students at the event got the chance to interact with these technologies firsthand, introducing them to the complexity and smart-factory innovation that define today’s manufacturing industry.

“Events like MSU Denver’s Manufacturing Day give students a valuable glimpse into their future careers,” said Heinzerling. “Growing up, I didn’t have access to opportunities like this, so it was hard to get excited about the future, let alone imagine what I might one day pursue. These experiences help young people discover the skills they want to develop and spark interest in fulfilling, high-impact career paths.”

The story of MSU Denver’s renowned advanced manufacturing program began in 2014, when the university’s former president learned of the predicted shortage of skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. Determined to get ahead of the challenge, MSU Denver partnered with American aerospace company Lockheed Martin, which has a strong presence in Colorado. This collaboration led to the establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute (AMSI), made possible through a $1 million endowment from Lockheed Martin.

Today, the AMSI offers a Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Sciences, with concentrations in Aerospace, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Operations Management. Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning and robotics.

"Our students gain tremendous value from our program,” said Mark Yoss, director of the AMSI. “We’re proud to maintain a 100% job placement rate for graduates, thanks to our faculty and a strong industry network and support system that truly empowers their success.”

Prior to his current role with MSU Denver, Yoss worked for Lockheed Martin for 36 years, and played a key role in helping to establish the AMSI.

Expanding its commitment to workforce development, the AMSI is also preparing to launch a second degree: the Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Operations. A unique element of this degree is the head start offered to interested students — the AMSI is working with multiple high schools and community colleges to provide training resources to help students achieve certifications through the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), an organization that provides certifications in Industry 4.0 skills (Industry 4.0 refers to the in-progress fourth industrial revolution, characterized by the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI, the IoT and big data into manufacturing). The certifications that students earn from SACA count as academic credits towards the Advanced Manufacturing Operations degree. This pathway allows students to begin their college journey ahead of schedule and potentially graduate early.

“There is only one other program like what we offer in the country,” said Yoss. “We’re expanding our degree offerings and working with public and private entities to build a future pipeline of skilled workers. The impact our students have long-term is going to be critical to the future of the industry.”

MSU Denver’s commitment to collaboration extends beyond academic curriculum. Since 2017, York Space Systems has operated its headquarters on the MSU Denver campus, leveraging access to AMSI resources and student talent. The company has built an innovative manufacturing facility, partnered with faculty and students on classroom-based projects, and offered internships that often lead to full-time employment.

Also located on campus is the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association (CAMA). With active board involvement, CAMA helps shape a workforce-driven curriculum and provides valuable networking opportunities for students. 

Through education, technology and a strong industry network, MSU Denver is laying the foundation for a thriving manufacturing industry powered by a skilled and forward-thinking workforce.

As the American manufacturing sector experiences rapid growth, the need for a skilled workforce has never been more urgent. PCL is committed to addressing this challenge head-on by supporting programs like MSU Denver’s AMSI. These initiatives help ensure that the workforce needed to support clients is being developed now, not years down the line.

“Supporting MSU Denver and the AMSI is one way we’re investing in the workforce our clients need today,” said Ahrendt. “We’re not waiting for the next generation to catch up; we’re helping build it now by engaging students early and showing them the real-world impact they can have in this industry.”