Manufacturing Revival Radio is a Dreamland Radio production with hosts Todd Schnick and Todd Youngblood. On this show, we feature the companies, the leaders, the innovators leading the charge and driving the innovation. Through the blood, sweat, and tears of working men and women from here at home, to around the world. Learn more at Manufacturing Revival Radio.

Lately we have been hearing a lot about reshoring and the optimism that surrounds it for American manufacturing. As Nigel Southway, chairman of the Toronto Chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, informed us, our neighbors to the north are sharing the same optimism for Canadian manufacturing. Today’s conversation focuses specifically on the gap that currently exists in the skilled workforce necessary to fully bring manufacturing back.

'We Capitalize Equipment, Why not Education?'
Nigel walked us through his concept of a “fully integrated apprenticeship program.” As an individual who went through a similar program in the 1960s, Nigel is a living example of the success that such a program can offer. During our discussion, we cover the "who, what, why and how" of implementing such a program successfully. We discuss who responsible for providing such programs. Is it government, education systems, the private sector … or a combination of all three?

Nigel pointed out that in North America it’s time to change our mindset about investing in labor.

We covered so much information during our interview that it is impossible to highlight even a tenth of it here. Please do yourself a favor and listen to this entire fascinating discussion.

Click on the play button above to listen to the interview, or download the audio file at Manufacturing Revival Radio.