The labor force participation rate of American men has been mostly falling since the late 1960s. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics this month published findings from a recent study examining common traits of men ages 30-36 who have dropped out of the workforce. A large percentage of non-workers responded that incarceration had limited their ability to work. More than 20% reported they had been incarcerated in the previous 12 months, and more than 36% said they had been incarcerated at some point in their lives. Formerly incarcerated individuals are a key focus of the OMA’s scaling apprenticeship grant outreach efforts. Members who are interested in expanding their manufacturing talent pools — including from non-traditional populations — should reach out to the OMA’s Sara Tracey. 12/14/2020