What North Carolina’s Manufacturing Boom Reveals about the Future of Workplace Learning

S&P Global and the S&P Global Foundation commit $10 million over three years to launch StepForward, a program supporting nonprofit workforce development and skills training for youth in an AI-driven economy.

Funding will support two new AI training tracks for current and future workers, train 40,000 manufacturing workers and expand the best-in-class FAME USA Network.

GE Aerospace plans to invest another $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing sites and supplier base during to help accelerate engine deliveries and ramp production of parts that safely extend time between maintenance shop visits, and strengthen defense production to keep pace with military demand.

The fourth round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants provides direct funding to states and territories based on a new performance-based formula.

PowerAmerica — part of the Manufacturing USA network — has issued a new request for proposals to support research projects focused on wide-bandgap semiconductor materials (like silicon carbide and gallium nitride). This reflects growing investment in advanced manufacturing infrastructure and U.S. domestic semiconductor capacity.

GlobalFoundries and RPI have deepened their long-standing partnership to strengthen semiconductor research, education, and workforce development. The agreement includes new faculty positions, support for a Semiconductor Scholars Program, and expanded collaboration to help build up the pipeline of talent needed for advanced manufacturing.