Download the July 2012 PCAST report on Advanced Manufacturing.
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recently published its Report to the President on Capturing Domestic Competitive Advantage in Advanced Manufacturing.
This report contains a list of recommended actions for further development of advanced manufacturing in America. For those of us who like to find common ground on how to move the country forward, there is a lot to like about this report:
- It focuses on the manufacturing sector, which impacts a broad cross-section of our population across geographic, political, and socio-economic boundaries.
- Academia and industry were well-represented on the council, ensuring a broad perspective.
- It concludes America has a competitive advantage in manufacturing and it is critical that to build on that advantage.
- The recommendations in the report focus on improving innovation, education, and the business environment … as American as motherhood and apple pie.
- It recommends maximizing the use of existing investments (e.g. assets at universities and community colleges) and pooled resources (e.g. cross-cutting technology platforms) to achieve its goals.
- The recommendations (some of which are already being implemented at the federal, state, or local levels) are practical and actionable.
- A variety of sectors (local, state, and federal gov’t, private sector, non-profits, service sector) can be a part of the effort.
John Schober, Director of Innovation, MAGNET
Advanced manufacturing is part of the solution to problems of our economy, and to the extent that this report inspires action, it serves a worthy purpose. So take advantage of the report to learn more about what may be on the horizon for the manufacturing sector, and how you can be a part of it.
John Schober is Director of Innovation at the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network in Cleveland, Ohio. Comment below, or contact Schober for more information about this topic, or about MAGNET’s Partnership for Regional Information Services for Manufacturers.
