USA Today (04/18/12) Paul Davidson

A revival of the manufacturing sector has fueled economic recovery during the last two years, but a decline in the number of tool and die makers could jeopardize the strength of the sector’s revival. The tool and die industry is having a hard time finding skilled workers, and a U.S. Congressional Research Service report indicates that the lack of skilled workers has shrunk the work force to such an extent that it may not be able to support the reshoring trend as companies bring production jobs back to the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the number of tool and die makers rose 7% to 98,000 in 2011, and the National Tool & Machining Association says 80% of the nation’s tool and die firms want to hire anywhere from one to five workers. Workers with strong math and science skills and an ability to work with their hands are in high demand.