Manufacturing Unwrapped: The Rise of Manufacturing Campaigns

In our top ten predictions for 2026, we predicted that we'd see a rise in the number of official manufacturing-related roles in governments across the world. 

These increases will be driven by the growing global spotlight on manufacturing and the impact of campaigns to increase awareness and engagement with the sector. 

Last year Libby Hargreeves our Deputy Editor covered how these campaigns in the US are seeking to create a robust hiring pipeline for the sector to tackle its ongoing hiring gap. 

A hiring gap which is set to be shaped further by Donald Trump's re-election to President, with his plans for strong import tariffs and trade restrictions.

With uncertainty ahead, now is a better time than ever to reflect on the power and importance of manufacturing campaigns, which is why Libby's piece has been made part of Manufacturing Unwrapped.

Connecticut: transforming perceptions

Libby's article describes how the US state of Connecticut has launched a marketing initiative, “I Got It Made,” to attract young talent to its manufacturing sector.

With 10,000 current job openings and more expected as the workforce ages, the campaign highlights manufacturing as a viable career option, particularly for high school graduates not pursuing college.

She highlights the work of Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie who understands the importance of the sector to the state, employing nearly 10% of the state’s workforce and offers well-paying jobs.

The campaign, launching statewide in August, combines traditional and digital advertising, including streaming content and a dedicated website, to reach young people and their families.

This seeks to combat a lack of awareness about the opportunities in the manufacturing sector, which can provide a stable and rewarding career to many.

A global trend

This article contextualises Connecticut’s campaign as part of a broader trend of global initiatives designed to attract young talent to manufacturing. 

Libby highlights the UK’s Rail Forum launched the "Made in Britain" campaign, which showcases the nation's manufacturing capabilities in the rail sector. 

This initiative aligns with the UK’s green infrastructure goals and emphasises sustainability, innovation, and the sector’s economic impact.

Why is this article a favourite? 

This article has made Manufacturing Unwrapped for several key reasons.

Firstly it effectively captures the significance of marketing initiatives in addressing the skills gap and modernising the perception of manufacturing careers.

By combining local efforts, such as Connecticut’s “I Got It Made” campaign, with international examples, it highlights a global movement toward revitalising manufacturing.

The article is also compelling due to its balance of data, industry expert insights, and illustrative success stories.

These elements make it an informative and inspiring read for those interested in workforce development and the future of manufacturing.

Finally, Libby's piece applies well to the state of global manufacturing in 2025. With Trump's second term as President on the horizon, his policies have put the state of America's manufacturing sector under the world's spotlight.

With this attention, efforts should be made to highlight the potential and power of this industry- as Trump's policies are set to dramatically shape its trajectory this year.

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