In today’s competitive market, skilled workers are essential. Many Idaho manufacturers are experiencing challenges like high turnover, difficulty finding skilled talent, and evolving technical needs. Traditional workforce models often fall short in keeping up, which is why Employer Collaboratives bring a fresh, industry-led approach, aligning training and development with real, shared needs across the manufacturing sector.
Welding
Industrial Maintenance
Machining
Manufacturers collaborate to pinpoint critical workforce needs—whether it’s skilled welders, CNC machinists, or advanced maintenance technicians. By identifying shared challenges, we build a clearer picture of the skills essential for sustaining growth.
Once key workforce challenges are identified, we take a data-first approach to determine the most effective solutions. Employers contribute insights on job demand, skill gaps, hiring trends, and internal workforce development efforts. This collective data helps the cohort make informed decisions about targeted workforce solutions. By leveraging real-time industry data, we ensure that solutions are employer-led, practical, and results-driven, creating a direct impact on workforce development efforts.
With a strategic roadmap in place, we implement solutions that align with sector-wide needs, preparing a workforce ready to meet current and future demands.
CNC
Semiconductor
Quality
Employer collaboratives use shared insights and industry data to develop targeted strategies, from bridging skills gaps to aligning training with evolving standards, ensuring a responsive approach to workforce needs.
With direct input from employers one option may be to design training to meet the requirements of today’s manufacturing roles, ensuring a resilient workforce pipeline.
Electrical & Automation
Robotics
Nanotechnology
By participating in an Employer Collaborative, you’ll contribute to industry-wide solutions, help shape strategic plans, and support workforce skill development to meet both today’s and tomorrow’s demands. Let’s work together to ensure Idaho’s manufacturing sector remains competitive and capable.
Reach out to Chris Kelly at chris@idmfg.org or call 208.999.1119 to learn more about how you can get started with Employer Collaboratives.
Become an IMA member and you’ll receive access to IMA’s member only bulletin to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in EDGE and other workforce initiatives.
Empowering Idaho’s Manufacturers Through Workforce Solutions
IMA’s EDGE initiative, built on the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) framework, is designed to help Idaho manufacturers take charge of workforce challenges — streamlining hiring, upskilling employees, and creating sustainable talent pipelines.
This initiative is supported by the Idaho workforce Development Council, whose leadership and grant funding help make these collaborative workforce solutions possible. together, we are equipping Idaho’s manufacturers with data-driven strategies to address workforce shortages and build a stronger, more competitive industry.
Join us in shaping the future of Idaho’s manufacturing workforce.
Your responses on this form are solely for informational purposes. Submission of this form does not constitute a commitment or agreement for future participation in EDGE/IMA initiatives, nor does it imply any binding obligation for your organization.
