by: Jim Yauger, Program Manager, Entrepreneurship

There seems to be a bit of a calm in the tariff and supply chain storm America has faced these past few months. While the uncertainty in the wake of sudden tariff announcements has wreaked havoc for many American businesses, there’s one refrain we’ve heard in politics for decades that’s driving it—bring manufacturing back to America.

Can we actually do that?

America’s manufacturing industry is at a crossroads. According to a recent report published by Deloitte, the U.S. may need up to 3.8 million new manufacturing workers by 2033. Without effective intervention, almost half (around 1.9 million positions) could remain unfilled. That’s a monumental ripple effect on supply chains, productivity, and economic growth, during a time when manufacturing in America is a hot topic.

At the same time, many American workers continue to avoid manufacturing careers. NPR highlights a pervasive perception problem: these roles are viewed as physically tough, low-paying, and inflexible. Combine that with an aging workforce and increasing talent mismatches, and it’s clear: the sector needs a bold, targeted solution.

Enter: America’s Veterans

Each year, around 200,000 service members transition from active duty to civilian life. These skilled individuals are brimming with talent yet often overlooked by industry. Here’s why veterans are an ideal match for modern manufacturing:

1. They Already Have the Skills

Veterans operate complex machinery, manage logistics, enforce quality control, and follow strict safety protocols.  All of these are core competencies in many advanced manufacturing environments.

2. They’re Adaptable and Tech-Savvy

Veterans routinely learn under pressure and work with cutting-edge technologies. In an age of automation, robotics, and AI-driven processes, their comfort with leveraging innovative tech gives them a leg up.

3. They’re Natural Leaders and Team Players

Whether leading units or coordinating across teams, veterans bring leadership, accountability, and collaboration which are all vital for driving operational excellence.

4. They’re Mission-Oriented

Fueled by a strong sense of duty and mission, veterans often boast higher job retention and dedication.  Veterans are a good strategy for instilling long-term workforce stability.

A Proven Model: Walmart’s Veteran Workforce Initiative

Initiatives like Walmart’s show how structured support can bring these strengths into manufacturing and beyond. Here’s what Walmart is doing:

• $500,000 investment in career events celebrating the military’s 250th anniversaries which are creating visibility and connection opportunities.
• Development of digital tools that help veterans translate military experience into civilian language and credentials, like “digital badges” recognized by employers.
• Partnerships with the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America, scaling a platform that maps over 300 military occupational specialties into manufacturing roles have unlocked over 2,400 badges for more than 600 veterans thus far. Walmart’s four-year funding has extended the program’s reach to more installations and industries.

These efforts demonstrate a practical, repeatable model that identify veterans’ transferrable skills through military service documents. The veterans are able certify those skills with industry-recognized credentials, which are quickly becoming the new standard in the workforce development world. With the industry-recognized credentials, veterans can match to employers based on their proven competencies.

Other efforts include IVMF’s own $3 million dollar partnership with Micron, seeking to bring advanced microchip and semiconductor manufacturing to Syracuse, NY. The primary scope of the deal concerns building a talent pipeline for the advanced manufacturing industry.

How More Manufacturers Can Adopt This Approach

To tap this underutilized talent pool, manufacturers should:

• Partner with national firms and foundations (like Walmart, defense transition programs, and veteran-focused nonprofits).
• Implement skill-translation platforms that convert military experience into manufacturing credentials.
• Join national initiatives such as Heroes MAKE America or Department of Labor veteran programs.
• Host veteran career events and develop networks that support onboarding and peer mentorship.

A Mission-Ready Strategy

The U.S. manufacturing sector isn’t just short on workers, it’s missing out on a deeply skilled, mission-driven workforce. Veterans bring discipline, technical expertise, leadership, and loyalty. Walmart’s initiative proves that with structure, investment, and collaboration, these individuals can become a cornerstone of America’s manufacturing resurgence.

By scaling such programs across the industry, we can not only fill jobs, but fuel innovation, competitiveness, and purpose in the heart of American manufacturing.