Georgia’s recent declines in GDP have sparked speculation that its economy is in peril. In fact, Georgia is poised for long-term growth in manufacturing.
Georgia sustains itself well in the national and global economy with its rising manufacturing and exports. Challenges, however, lie ahead for U.S. competitiveness. A recent Deloitte report shows that our nation ranks third behind China and Germany but may decline to fifth in 2018 forecasts.
The leading attribute of global competitive leadership is not trade, taxes or manufacturing costs. It is a talented workforce. Georgia has armed itself with this globally competitive weapon on three levels — higher education, secondary and k-8 education, and practices. Properly supported, Georgia will remain atop the nation’s hotbed of advanced manufacturing, the Southeast. With talent, a strong port and domestic energy access, Georgia has the right ingredients to bolster our nation’s advance toward a trade surplus.
Since 2009, Georgia has gained 11,500 manufacturing jobs and ranks 14th among states with increases. Manufacturing output is at historic highs, and technology jobs are reaching similar heights. Georgia’s productivity, and its growing manufacturing base, exemplify the quality of this state’s competitiveness. Its workforce preparation for today’s jobs and tomorrow’s opportunities make it desirable to global manufacturers and employers.
Primary contributors to the strength of Georgia’s globally competitive talent are:
• Georgia Tech, one of the world’s greatest engineering and manufacturing universities;
• Growth of engineering and manufacturing programs at other Georgia universities and technical colleges;
• A respected workforce training program in the state’s Quick Start program;
• Growth of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs in secondary and k-8 education.
Manufacturing programs offer online or night-time lectures, thus freeing up time for hands-on and real-time experiences. Tech’s Maker Labs enable all students, not just engineering students, to build prototypes of products and advanced materials.
I am proud Georgia’s talent, its people and its products will be on display Oct. 29-31 when the Southeast manufacturing community gathers in Greenville, S.C., for its biennial summit — the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ SOUTH-TEC — on technology, innovation and workforce development. This talent stands as a cornerstone to our nation’s leadership in the global economy.
Georgia’s biggest challenge to sustain and grow its competitiveness lies within itself. Our state’s leadership must commit to continuing to invest in public education at all levels. We must ensure the current and next workforce generation is there to answer the needs of our state and nation in securing economic prosperity and national security. This commitment is potentially our state’s biggest opportunity — or its greatest hindrance.
We must rise to the occasion.
Thomas Kurfess, a board member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, specializes in manufacturing studies at Georgia Tech.
