In this episode of Manufacturing an American Century, I sit down with Josh Cramer. At the time of our recording, Josh was serving as the Director of Education and Workforce Development at America Makes and has now gone on to another important position, now the Associate Vice President  - Workforce Development at BlueForge Alliance. In the pod, we talk about the intersection of technology and workforce development in manufacturing. Josh and his team are tackling a big challenge—getting small-to-mid sized manufacturers (SMMs) to adopt technologies like 3D printing, which can transform not only products but entire manufacturing processes, businesses and communities. And we’re not just talking about technical training here; America Makes knows that workforce development includes educating both students and incumbent workers, showing people how they can apply new tech in practical ways that deliver value and make products that solve problems. A big theme today of our discussion is the “national strategy with a local impact” model that America Makes follows. Josh explains how real change is happening at the regional level and why initiatives must respect and adapt to local needs. He also shares how 3D printing and additive manufacturing bring incredible entrepreneurial opportunities—not only for big businesses but for everyone, like the “Tech Moms” program that helps mothers in Utah return to the workforce with new skills. If you're curious about what it takes to drive national manufacturing growth at a local level, or how additive technology is making big waves in traditional industries, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Thanks again Josh! AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike. Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Participants:Josh Cramer, Fmr. Director of Education and Workforce Development at America Makes, now Associate Vice President  - Workforce Development at BlueForge AllianceMatt Bogoshian: Executive Director, American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative and host of the podcast. 💡 Key Ideas:Education and Workforce Development as Dual Priorities: America Makes emphasizes building both technology skills and awareness to bridge educational and workforce gaps.Local Solutions, National Strategy: Josh advocates a “national strategy through local impact” approach, emphasizing local, targeted initiatives for widespread results.Entrepreneurial Potential in 3D Printing: Additive manufacturing, especially 3D printing, opens doors for entrepreneurship, offering flexibility and self-employment opportunities.Upskilling Across Age Groups: Workforce initiatives are aimed at reskilling adults and not just youth, making local awareness key for encouraging career pivots.Additive Manufacturing in Castings and Forgings: Integrating 3D printing into traditional casting and forging industries introduces innovative, cost-effective processes and new market potential.🔗Links to Learn More:Find Josh on LinkedinLearn more about America Makes.Follow AMCC on Linkedin.Find Matt on Linkedin.Visit our website. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.