Transforming Manufacturing in a Digital Economy Workgroup (Make it in Maryland)

The Workgroup was tasked with studying the transformation of manufacturing in Maryland's emerging digital economy, and make recommendations to support the transition of Maryland manufacturing to Industry 4.0 and the digital economy.

Specifically, the Workgroup was tasked with the following:

• Identify the new and emerging digital technologies that are shaping the work of the future, the education and skills needed, and the viable strategies for businesses to adopt these technologies;
  
• Examine the research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the relationships between emerging technologies and the workforce to enable a future of shared prosperity, entitled "The Work of the Future: Shaping Technology & Institutions," MIT Work of the Future, Fall 2019 Report;
• Examine existing financial resources available to manufacturers seeking to invest in Industry 4.0 technology;
• Make recommendations to facilitate the State’s robust entry into Industry 4.0 technology to improve the perception of manufacturing careers, including:
  • promoting the technological advancements of Industry 4.0 to shift the perception of manufacturing careers for the entry–level workforce; and
  • creating and advancing public–private partnerships between manufacturers, supportive community stakeholders, and education systems;
• Examine new and viable tax credits and programs for manufacturers to be more competitive and marketable in the new digital economy;
• Examine the State’s current statutory and regulatory authority over manufacturing to examine potential reforms to attract new manufacturing businesses brought by Industry 4.0 to invest in the State’s economy and workforce;
• Recommend additional financial support delivery mechanisms, as needed, to enable State manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 technology and enhance the ability of industry service providers to increase the scope of their industry support;
• Propose annual State funding to create a statewide training program to address the growing skills gap in the manufacturing workforce; and
• Develop recommendations for long–term private–public partnerships between educational institutions and manufacturers to develop curriculums that address the rapidly changing needs of the manufacturing industry.

The Workgroup completed its work in December 2022 and submitted a final report to the Maryland General Assembly. A link to the full report can be found below.

Members:

• Lily Qi, Maryland Delegate and Workgroup Chair
  
• Chris West, Maryland Senator
• Jim Rosapepe, Maryland Senator
  
• Johnny Mautz, Maryland Delegate
• Lance Schine, Deputy Secretary, DOIT
• Todd Sabin, Maryland Department of Commerce
• Erin Roth, Maryland Department of Labor
• Suzy Ganz, Lion Brothers
• Mike Galiazzo, RMI
• Kelly Koermer, Carroll Community College
• Irnande Altema, Associate Vice President for Government and Business Affairs, MICUA
• Lindsay Ryan, Venture Development Director, USM
• Mike Kelleher, Executive Director, Maryland MEP
• Chris Cosgrove, Vice Chair of the Board, RAMP MD
• Marty Rosendale/Kelly Schulz, CEO, Maryland Tech Council
• Dr. Adam Porter, Executive Director, Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic
• Donna S. Edwards, President, Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO
• Bob Mather, Vice President - Lean, I4.0 & Advanced Manufacturing, Stanley Black and Decker Global Operations
• Kunjan Tokekar, Director, Industrial Engineering, Volvo Group
• Dr. Thomas VanCott, Chief Technology & Strategy Officer, Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy
• Kenneth Sanchez, President, Chesapeake Specialty Products
• April Richardson, Esq., Managing Partner, Food Opportunity, LLC
• Jack Weber, Uptown Press
• Wynne Briscoe, Regional Director for Southern Maryland, SBDC
  
  

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