Building More Inclusive Manufacturing Pathways: What We’re Learning from Schools

Across the state, schools are working hard to connect students to high-quality manufacturing pathways. As a part of the Scaling Transformative Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (STAMP) initiative, we asked participating schools across the state to share how they are recruiting students into manufacturing and ensuring they are reaching the students who are typically furthest from access. Through these conversations, we identified key strategies that are working, barriers that still exist, and resources that could help schools create even more inclusive and accessible opportunities. As we spoke with district and program leaders, a few key themes emerged about what’s working well, what challenges remain, and what supports could help schools create even more inclusive and accessible opportunities.

What Schools Are Doing Well

Established Programs Build Their Own Momentum

When a manufacturing program has been around for years, it often generates interest naturally. Schools with longstanding pathways are seeing a steady enrollment driven by word-of-mouth and past student success. Alumni returning to speak with students also play a critical role in sustaining engagement, as their presence allows students to envision themselves in similar career pathways.

“RIHS recently hosted a welding workshop where various industry reps came to the class and did demos…The instructors often invite past students back to talk about their job in welding, and this has been powerful for current students to hear.”
– Rock Island-Milan School District

Some Schools Are Embedding Inclusive Messaging

Several districts are intentional about representing the diversity of their student body in marketing materials and classroom images. They’re also ensuring translated materials and clear communication so that all families can engage. Many districts offer materials in Spanish or other major languages in their region, and others provide translation services at events.

“Everything is translatable…When we do host in-person events such as the Taste of East and West Leyden, we provide translation services in Spanish, Polish, and Ukrainian.”
– Leyden High School District 212

Counselors and Teachers Are Key Recruiters

In many schools, counselors and teachers are the driving force behind recruitment. They actively encourage students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to consider manufacturing pathways. Some programs also provide transportation and cover costs for protective equipment or certification exams, ensuring financial barriers don’t prevent participation.

“Financial barriers are removed for all students participating in the manufacturing pathways in various ways. All equipment required for the courses is supplied for the classroom, including the protective equipment needed in the Introduction to Welding course. The Introduction to Welding course is taught off-site, so transportation is free to the student. As a result of these efforts, the Introduction to Welding course has been our fastest-growing course over the past two years in terms of the number of students requesting to take the course.”
– Belvidere D100

Some Districts Are Bringing in Diverse Role Models

A few schools have started to prioritize inviting diverse professionals to speak with students, helping them see themselves in these careers. Whether through industry panels, classroom visits, or apprenticeship mentors, these schools are working to ensure that students from all backgrounds feel like they belong in manufacturing. 

Key Barriers That Still Exist

Marketing and Recruitment Can Be Too Generic

Many schools still rely on standard course catalogs and general advisory lessons to introduce students to manufacturing. While these efforts ensure all students receive the information, they don’t always actively invite or support underrepresented students in considering these pathways.

Diverse Representation Isn’t Consistently Prioritized

While some schools are actively working to bring in diverse speakers, others acknowledge they haven’t yet reviewed their outreach efforts through an equity lens. Without intentional role modeling, students from nontraditional backgrounds may struggle to see manufacturing as a path for them.

Tailored Recruitment Efforts Are Limited

Some schools have taken steps to address barriers, such as financial constraints and lack of transportation. However, very few programs are designed specifically to attract students who might not traditionally consider manufacturing, such as young women, first-generation college students, or students from communities underrepresented in the field.

What Schools Need to Strengthen Outreach and Recruitment

Equity-Focused Marketing Materials

Schools could benefit from customizable templates that highlight diverse student experiences, incorporate inclusive visuals, and use accessible language to reach a broad audience, as we see in the CPS Girls in Future Careers Career Exploration.

A Database of Diverse Speakers and Role Models

Creating a regional list of industry professionals and alumni from underrepresented backgrounds who can speak at school events could help more students see themselves in these careers.

Recruitment Toolkits for Underrepresented Students

Practical guides on how to identify and address common barriers—whether financial, cultural, or informational—would help districts take more targeted action. Our Resources and Guidance for Supporting Young Women in Manufacturing toolkit includes best practices to support nontraditional students at every stage on their journey from elementary to and through postsecondary. This resource links to female-centered manufacturing media, talking points for diverse role models at school events, reflection questions for students, etc.

Professional Development for Counselors and Educators

Training on equitable recruitment strategies, such as engaging families in multiple languages and addressing implicit biases, could empower school staff to reach more students effectively.

Tools to Evaluate Recruitment Efforts

An event review framework could help schools assess whether their outreach is effectively reaching underrepresented students and adjust their approach as needed. For example, we developed a Rubric for Equity-Centered Recruitment.

Moving Forward Together

Schools are making great strides in creating welcoming and accessible manufacturing pathways, but there’s still work to do. By focusing on representation, inclusive messaging, and targeted support, we can ensure more students—especially those historically underrepresented in the field—see the continually growing field of manufacturing as a viable and exciting career option.

We encourage schools to use these insights—along with the resources they already have—to strengthen and expand equitable manufacturing pathways. Small steps, like highlighting diverse role models, making materials more accessible, or refining outreach efforts, can create meaningful change. Every student we reach is a step toward a more inclusive and thriving manufacturing workforce.