NAM and Pfizer prescribe new campaign to close the ‘skills gap’

With more than 3.5 million manufacturing job openings expected over the next decade, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) affiliate, the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM and Pfizer today unveiled a nationwide media campaign as part of the NAM’s “Creators Wanted” initiative. The national campaign is a sustained effort to answer manufacturers’ workforce challenges by enhancing perceptions of modern manufacturing careers through advertising, digital targeting and storytelling about the people who represent the present and future of the industry.

The campaign features Pfizer colleagues at the company’s site in Kalamazoo, Michigan, showcasing for parents and students what’s achievable through modern manufacturing careers in the biopharmaceutical industry. The unprecedented attention on manufacturing in America—by political leaders and the press—has raised the stakes for America’s leading innovation industry to compete for talent and to spotlight the growing number of opportunities for lifelong careers in modern manufacturing.

“There are myths about manufacturing that we need to dispel,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “This is more than a public relations campaign. ‘Creators Wanted’ is an urgent call to action to inspire kids and their parents to see modern manufacturing anew. Too many Americans have lost confidence that they can lead lives that will exceed the dreams of their grandparents or that hard work pays off in the end. Modern manufacturing can unlock the potential of our people and our country—if parents and kids see what our jobs offer in terms of pay, career longevity, excitement and reward.

“For years, Pfizer has been a company that extends its work and investment far beyond its own interests—to lift up our industry and our people. Pfizer has been a valued partner of the NAM, helping us to be a forceful voice for manufacturing in the United States and the workforce solutions the industry needs. We are grateful to Pfizer again for stepping up and leading by example.”

The campaign is the first showcase of stories by a biopharmaceutical company to the NAM’s “Creators Wanted” initiative. In the eight months since the initiative’s launch, the campaign’s social media efforts have reached nearly 1 million individuals. “Creators Wanted” has brought together some of America’s top innovative brands and small manufacturers to demonstrate that modern manufacturing offers careers that are well-paid, highly skilled and diverse. Manufacturing careers allow individuals to raise their standard of living and make products that have a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

“As a U.S.-based, global leader in the discovery and manufacture of lifesaving medicines, Pfizer is proud to partner with the NAM on this important initiative,” said Kirsten Lund-Jurgensen, Executive Vice President and President, Pfizer Global Supply. “Our Pfizer Global Supply team—which includes skilled tradespeople, production colleagues, line operators, process engineers, quality control professionals, engineers, chemists and countless others—is committed to manufacturing high-quality medicines and making them available to patients when and where they are needed. Our colleagues are changing lives and saving lives, each and every day. I am inspired by our shared mission and honored to see our colleagues’ dedication and commitment highlighted through this program.”

As part of the NAM–Pfizer partnership, the campaign will drive attention to the stories of the Pfizer Kalamazoo “creators” and encourage parents and students to see firsthand what modern manufacturing looks like on Manufacturing Day, October 6, 2017, at the Pfizer site in Sanford, North Carolina.

“Unless we change minds about manufacturing, we will have more than 2 million jobs unfilled over the next 10 years,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Manufacturing Day and ‘Creators Wanted’ are our chance to turn the tide to convince parents and students we need the next generation and we have a lot to offer.”

For more information, visit www.creatorswanted.org.