# Doing the Dirty Work: How to Find Qualified, Consistent Labor w/ Gary Konarska

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2020-09-15
- Length: 32m
- Episode: 14
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-8ec6b6ff-8ec9-4548-a0bf-cf1ad75e4b79

## Summary

Gary Konarska, Executive Director & CEO of the American Welding Society (AWS), discusses the critical shortage of skilled labor in manufacturing, driven by Baby Boomer retirements and a historical stigma against vocational trades. He explains how AWS addresses this through initiatives like the Careers in Welding website, scholarships, and mobile VR welding simulators to attract new talent. Konarska advises manufacturers to engage with local vocational programs, offer apprenticeships, and invest in upskilling existing employees on automation and robotics to remain competitive.

## Chapters

- [0:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=57) Introduction: Gary Konarska and the Labor Shortage
- [2:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=169) Gary Konarska's Career and AWS Mission
- [7:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=462) The Skilled Labor Gap and Vocational Education
- [13:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=833) AWS Initiatives: Scholarships, VR Simulators, and Outreach
- [19:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=1191) Local Engagement: Apprenticeships and School Partnerships
- [22:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=1373) Upskilling and In-House Training Programs
- [26:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-09-15-doing-the-dirty-work-how-to-find-qualified-consistent-labor-w-gary-konarska#t=1587) Future-Proofing Workers with Technology and Robotics

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- American Welding Society (company)
- Lincoln Electric Company (company)
- Careers in Welding (other)
- Gorilla 76 (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [219: How Skillwork Is Like Travel Nursing for Manufacturing Talent Featuring Brett Elliott and Tim Raglin of Skillwork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-01-14-219-how-skillwork-is-like-travel-nursing-for-manufacturing-talent-featuring-bret) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [150: When Will We Actually Close the Skills Gap? Featuring Ann Wyatt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-08-22-150-when-will-we-actually-close-the-skills-gap-featuring-ann-wyatt) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: What Manufacturers Can Learn from Central Wisconsin's Workforce Strategy (LIVE from Wausau, WI)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-05-bonus-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-central-wisconsins-workforce-strategy-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Leading the New American Manufacturing Renaissance with Andrew Crowe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-03-30-leading-the-new-american-manufacturing-renaissance-with-andrew-crowe) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Stories in Welding, Employee Retention, and Gratitude with Lisa Ryan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-08-stories-in-welding-employee-retention-and-gratitude-with-lisa-ryan) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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