Applied Mechanics Corp/AMCOR

10/26/2026

Indiana receives nearly $19 million for workforce training and apprenticeships
WOWO Indiana
10/22/2026

Indiana is receiving nearly $19 million in federal funding to expand workforce training, apprenticeship opportunities and career pathways in high-demand industries.

Governor Mike Braun announced the funding, which supports four initiatives focused on industry-specific skills training, special education teachers, apprenticeship expansion and employment opportunities for people involved in the justice system.

The largest award is a $6.7 million Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant. Over nearly four years, the funding will help train workers in advanced manufacturing, information technology, construction and allied health care. Employers and local workforce development boards will identify regional workforce needs and develop training programs.

Indiana also received a $3.09 million U.S. Department of Education grant to establish a statewide registered apprenticeship model for special education teachers. The five-year initiative will provide paid, lower-cost pathways toward full special education licensure, with an emphasis on areas experiencing teacher shortages.

A $3.9 million U.S. Department of Labor grant will support apprenticeship expansion over three years. The initiative will focus on group apprenticeship sponsorships, career and technical education counselor training, and strengthening local workforce boards’ ability to support advanced manufacturing.

The fourth award is a $5.1 million Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships and Training Initiative, known as RESTART. Over three and a half years, the program will connect adults age 25 and older who have been involved in the justice system with training and employment opportunities in advanced manufacturing, construction, skilled trades, transportation and logistics.

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich said the investments will help Hoosiers develop skills for in-demand careers while helping businesses find qualified workers.

Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Kate Shelby said the grants will expand access to employer-driven training and help businesses meet workforce needs.

The four awards total $18.79 million and will support programs extending through 2031, according to the announcement.

08/03/2026

https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/gov-whitmers-final-report-card-michigan-ranks-among-the-worst-states-in-the-nation/

After eight years of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, Michigan ranks among the five worst states in the nation in the new U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Overall Best States rankings, released last week.

02/27/2026

https://shopmetaltech.com/industry-statistics/metalformers-show-resilience-as-orders-rise-and-outlook-remains-steady/

02/20/2026

https://openline.auburnalabama.org/article/9549/

The City of Auburn has partnered with Auburn High Schools launch a Precision Machining Internship Program providing high school students with hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing.

02/09/2026

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news/state-looks-to-expand-manufacturing-training-at-community-colleges/

As the U.S. sheds manufacturing jobs, Illinois is accepting applications for $24 million in grant funding to establish training facilities at community colleges aimed at bolstering the state’s manufacturing labor pool. The funding is for six “manufacturing training academies” at downstate comm...

02/02/2026

Metal Formers Express Optimism in Latest PMA Business Conditions Report [PMA Mention]
Metal Forming Magazine
1/29/26

Metal formers anticipate an increase in economic activity and incoming orders in the coming months, according to the January 2026 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report. PMA’s January report shows that 49% of manufacturers surveyed expect an increase in general economic activity in the next three months, up significantly from 26% in December, and only 8% forecast a decrease in activity, compared to 17% in December.

Metal formers also anticipate an increase in incoming orders in the next three months, with 53% of survey respondents predicting an increase in orders, up from 48% in December, and only 10% forecasting a decrease in orders, down from 20% in December.

Current shipping levels also rebounded in January, as 20% of metal formers surveyed reported an increase in current average daily shipping levels in January, up from 11% in December, and 30% reported a decrease in shipping levels, down from 51% last month.

“The January PMA Business Conditions Report shows that our members remain resilient and optimistic that economic activity will improve over the next three months,” says PMA President David Klotz. “With more companies forecasting growth in orders and activity, manufacturers are confident that customers will look to source more products domestically. That optimism, however, depends on a more stable and predictable trade environment that gives manufacturers the certainty they need to invest, grow and plan for the future.”

01/16/2026

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, recently announced that select Illinois community colleges are eligible to apply for a grant funding advanced workforce training facilities.

12/12/2025

AI Expected to Drive Manufacturing Margins in 2026
Advanced Manufacturing
By Cary Gitter
12/8/25

Artificial intelligence will continue to transform the manufacturing industry in 2026, according to the “Future-Ready Manufacturing Study 2025,” conducted by Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (TCS) in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The results revealed that while AI is expected to rapidly increase its impact on manufacturing operations and autonomous processes, businesses still face substantial gaps in readiness and capabilities. And agentic AI is emerging as a priority capability, accelerating autonomous decision-making across plants.

Key findings included:

75% of manufacturers expect AI to be a top-three margin driver by 2026.
Only 21% say they are fully AI ready, exposing significant data and integration challenges.
74% expect AI agents to manage 11%-50% of routine production decisions by 2028.
67% report improved real-time supply chain visibility due to AI, strengthening resilience and responsiveness.
More than 30% forecast meaningful productivity gains from AI-led modernization.

“By embedding artificial intelligence into every layer of the operation and leveraging cloud-native architecture, manufacturers can move beyond simple automation to true autonomous decision-making,” said Ozgur Tohumcu, general manager of automotive and manufacturing at AWS. “This study makes it clear: The future of manufacturing is not just digital; it is autonomous—powered by AI that learns, evolves and operates continuously.”

The study surveyed 216 senior leaders in automotive, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense, process industries, chemicals and heavy equipment, across North America and Europe

12/08/2025

Metalformers outlook steady despite headwinds in November: PMA [PMA Mention]
Steel Market Update
By David Schollaert
12/3/25

Metalforming manufacturers were mixed in their outlook, anticipating business conditions could either worsen or, at best, hold in the near-term, according to the Precision Metalforming Association’s (PMA) November report.

PMA’s monthly Business Conditions Report analyzes survey responses from 85 US and Canadian metalforming companies.

The survey shows 35% of manufacturers expect business activity to decline in the next three months, even with October’s results. Just over half (51%) anticipate no change in activity, compared to 47% last month. Those expecting an increase in activity declined from 18% in October to 14% in November.

In November, 40% of respondents reported a decline in daily shipping levels, vs. 38% in October. More than a third (39%) reported no change in daily shipping levels, compared to 36% in October, while 21% reported an increase, down from 26%.

The number of metalformers forecasting an increase in incoming orders for the next three months rose to 31% in November from 21% in October. Another 36% expect no change in incoming orders, compared to 40% in the month prior. Those expecting a decrease in incoming orders fell to 33% from 39% in October.

Respondents reporting workers on short time or laid off rose from 8% in October to 14% in November. Another 26% are expanding their workforce vs. 29% in October. Lead times were static from October to November, with only 9% of respondents reporting an increase.

“PMA’s November Business Conditions Report shows that members continue to be cautious about expected economic activity over the next three months,” said PMA President David Klotz.

While results reflect continued uncertainty in the market, due in part to higher prices of key inputs like steel and aluminum, Klotz said an increase in incoming orders, speculated by many members, was a “positive sign of the industry’s resilience.”