# 146: The Workforce Slugfest: A Live Panel on Training Programs, Immigration Policy, and Attracting the Next Generation

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2023-07-25
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Host Chris Luecke moderates a panel at the Association for Equipment Manufacturers' Celebration of Construction featuring Marsia Geldert-Murphey of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Thayer Long of the Independent Electrical Contractors, and Steve Hall of the American Council of Engineering Companies. The group discusses the severe workforce shortage in construction and engineering, citing a need for 82,000 more engineers to execute the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. They propose specific solutions including reforming immigration policies to retain foreign graduates, expanding apprenticeship programs like the DOL-approved electrical apprenticeship, and changing STEM messaging to appeal to purpose-driven youth. The panel also highlights retention strategies such as hybrid work models, ownership stakes, and early K-12 engagement through initiatives like the Future World Vision IMAX movie.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy#t=0) Introduction: Workforce Slugfest and Panel Introductions
- [6:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy#t=384) Short-term Actions to Grow Applicant Pools
- [12:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy#t=727) Policy Levers: Infrastructure Bill and Immigration
- [16:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy#t=1015) The Math Problem: STEM Graduates and Immigration Reform
- [20:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy#t=1241) Retention Strategies: Apprenticeships and Culture
- [23:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-07-25-146-the-workforce-slugfest-a-live-panel-on-training-programs-immigration-policy#t=1438) Growing the Pipeline: K-12 Engagement and Messaging

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Association for Equipment Manufacturers (company)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (company)
- Independent Electrical Contractors (company)
- American Council of Engineering Companies (company)
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (other)
- H1B visas (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

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- [The Carbon Copy: The great electrician shortage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2023-03-09-the-carbon-copy-the-great-electrician-shortage) (Catalyst)
- [The Power of STEM: Shaping the Next Generation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-07-the-power-of-stem-shaping-the-next-generation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Bonus Episode - The EMS (Eric Miscoll Show) - Talent: Attracting, Training, and Retaining it and Mitigating Scarcity](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-24-bonus-episode-the-ems-eric-miscoll-show-talent-attracting-training-and-retaining) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [The Critical Shift: Bridging the Generational Gap in PCB Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-03-26-the-critical-shift-bridging-the-generational-gap-in-pcb-design) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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