What’s Inside

Tariffs and geopolitical pressures are accelerating the reshoring of supply chains, but companies face a profound and persistent labor skills gap. Government incentives like the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have fueled record manufacturing investment, including $266 billion in greenfield projects in the U.S. in 2024. Yet, according to a CNBC Supply Chain Survey, 57% of companies cited cost as the top reason they would not reshore, and 81% said they would favor automation over hiring workers if they did so.

In “Reshoring the Workforce: Bridging America’s Manufacturing Talent Gap,” researchers Alan Amling and Darrell Edwards draw on a survey of 143 supply chain leaders and expert interviews to diagnose the talent gap and offer a practical roadmap for closing it. Their research, conducted through the University of Tennessee’s Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative (ASCC), reveals that the skills gaps companies face are less technology-focused than expected — and more core supply chain-focused. Four skills emerged as extreme priorities for companies wanting to reshore: supply chain management, leadership, critical thinking, and communication.

Because reshoring success depends on more than capital investment, the paper examines how companies are building sustainable talent pipelines through internships and co-ops, manufacturing apprenticeships, executive education, and industry-university partnerships. Additionally, the paper includes special considerations for small and mid-sized businesses, which often have unique advantages in building agile, tailored workforce strategies.

Supply chain leaders walk away with both the strategic context and a concrete action plan for navigating one of the most urgent workforce challenges in modern manufacturing.

Download to Explore

• Reshoring trends and the supply chain labor challenges driving them
• Survey data from 143 supply chain leaders on the most critical workforce skills gaps
• Expert insights on the seven key reshoring skills gaps identified through industry interviews
• Seven specific actions for universities and companies to build sustainable talent pipelines
• Special considerations for small and mid-sized businesses navigating the talent shortage
• Resources and partnerships to support reshoring and supply chain workforce development

Who This White Paper Is For

• Supply Chain and Operations Leaders
• Corporate CEOs and Chief Supply Chain Officers
• Chief Procurement Officers and HR Leaders
• Supply Chain Managers and Planners
• Supply Chain Professionals and Advanced Students

For more in‑depth, industry‑focused white papers from the Global Supply Chain Institute (GSCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, visit our white papers library. Recent research produced by the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative (ASCC) engages industry leaders and UT faculty to explore and report on leading‑edge practices in supply chain management, planning, and innovation.