A new Manufacturing Institute survey offers a useful reminder for HR leaders. Manufacturers are not treating workforce development as a side project. They are funding it.

The survey estimates manufacturers now spend $31.9 billion annually on internal and external training for new and existing employees, up from $26.2 billion in 2019. New hires receive an average of 47.6 hours of training, compared with 42.9 hours in 2019.

The findings reflect what many HR teams already know firsthand. Attracting and retaining talent requires more employer-led training, more structured onboarding and more intentional skill development inside the plant. The Manufacturing Institute also found that 77.5% of respondents offer employer-led training, underscoring how central in-house development has become to manufacturers’ workforce strategy.

“Manufacturers are investing at this level because they know the workforce challenge is not going away on its own,” said Dave O’Neil, director of communications for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “For HR leaders, training is now part of the competitiveness strategy, and that usually means a lot more coordination, a lot more intention and probably more coffee than anyone wants to admit.” 4/23/2026