The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced an investment of up to $14.5 million for research and development to cut waste and reduce the energy used to recycle single-use plastics like plastic bags, wraps, and films.

Continued U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing requires new technologies, processes, and skills, especially in the emerging fields of biomanufacturing, cyber-manufacturing and eco-manufacturing. To address that need, the U.S. National Science Foundation is announcing investments in 24 new projects to drive future manufacturing.

Large masses of plastic refuse and other marine debris, drawn together by waves and wind, currently float across the north Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii.

Manufacturing is the fourth largest industrial sector in the United States, currently employing about 15.6 million Americans, representing aabout 11% of the gross domestic product. The White House has declared manufacturing to be a national priority. Manufacturing workers experience a higher percentage of nonfatal injuries and illnesses per capita than the US workforce as a whole.

Manufacturing Day (MFG Day)—organized nationally by The Manufacturing Institute—is manufacturing’s biggest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation about the industry and careers in modern manufacturing—and to say: “Creators Wanted.” MFG DAY was created to correct public perception and addresses many misperceptions by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in

Businesses, higher education, and workforce development organizations can use the updated model when developing curriculum, identifying workforce skill gaps, and detecting competencies required for credentials. The refreshed model helps ensure that workers learn skills that employers need.