Manufacturers urged to hire more workers with disabilities amid labor shortage

Experts at a Manufacturing Institute webinar highlighted that people with disabilities are a largely untapped talent pool for manufacturers, according to Manufacturing Dive.

The industry faces a shortage of 3.8 million workers by 2033, with nearly 1.9 million jobs expected to remain vacant, based on a 2024 study by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte.

More than 25% of Americans live with a disability, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making this group a significant potential workforce.

Experts emphasized that including workers with disabilities is not a peripheral issue but a core business and talent strategy imperative, said the National Organization on Disability CEO.

A personal story shared in a National Association of Manufacturers video illustrated how manufacturing can provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.