Made in America: The Economic and Workforce Benefits of Reshoring Manufacturing

Harry Moser, Founder of the Reshoring Initiative

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With U.S. manufacturing facing a potential shortfall of 7.5 million skilled workers, how can we bring jobs back and build the workforce to sustain them?

In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Harry Moser, founder and president of the Reshoring Initiative, to explore the critical intersection of reshoring manufacturing, workforce development, and technological advancement. With decades of experience in manufacturing and workforce advocacy, Harry shares actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and business leaders aiming to strengthen America’s industrial future.

From addressing workforce shortages to overcoming supply chain risks, Harry explains the importance of apprenticeships, hands-on learning, and reshoring strategies like total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. He also reveals why countries like Switzerland excel in workforce preparation and what the U.S. must do to compete.

Listen to learn:

How reshoring addresses a 45% cost gap with China to protect U.S. supply chains and economic security.
Why FAME apprenticeships produce $98K earners within five years, rivaling or exceeding college degree outcomes.
How TCO analysis helps manufacturers uncover hidden costs, making U.S. production viable in 50% of cases.
What the U.S. can learn from Switzerland, where 60% of students enter apprenticeships & fuel their industrial workforce.
How reshoring has grown U.S. manufacturing jobs 25x since 2010—and the critical steps needed to sustain it.

Quotable Moments:

"The number one criterion for companies picking a location for a factory is a skilled workforce. And if you're a worker, what do you want to have? You want to have the skills that every company is looking for, and those are manufacturing skills like robotics, automation, and programmable logic controllers."

"At FAME, the average income five years after graduation is $98,000, which is the equivalent of a PhD—but without the debt and with years of earning experience already under your belt."

"When companies look only at the price, the U.S. wins in 8% of cases. When they look at Total Cost of Ownership, 32% of cases favor the U.S. And when there’s a 25% tariff, the U.S. wins over 50% of the time—just by doing the math correctly."

3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:

1. Reshoring is essential for U.S. economic and national security in an era of global uncertainty.
The U.S. faces a 45% manufacturing cost gap with China, but Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis shows that 50% of cases favor reshoring when hidden costs like tariffs and geopolitical risks are factored in. Harry Moser emphasizes the dangers of supply chain disruptions and reliance on foreign manufacturing for critical goods.

2. Apprenticeships are a high-earning alternative to traditional college degrees, with faster results.
Graduates of programs like FAME earn an average of $98,000 annually within five years, far surpassing many degree holders. They also start earning earlier, graduate debt-free, and enter the workforce with advanced technical skills in high demand.

3. The U.S. must address a projected 7.5 million skilled worker shortfall in manufacturing.
Harry Moser highlights Switzerland’s apprenticeship model, where 60% of students gain hands-on skills through advanced training programs, as an example the U.S. could emulate. Building similar pathways could help meet workforce needs and drive manufacturing growth.

Resources in this Episode:

To learn more about the Reshoring Initiative, visit: reshorenow.org

Try the Total Cost of Ownership Estimator®

Connect with Reshoring Initiative Online:

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Connect with Harry Moser on LinkedIn

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