America's brain power provides many of the products we take for granted, from cell phones to pre-packaged foods and stain-resistant fabrics. We've gotten accustomed to "having it all" and having it all faster, smaller and sleeker.

But today, workforce issues are challenging America's manufacturing industry. The majority of U.S. manufacturers face a serious shortage of skilled employees. This deficit threatens to stunt development of new technologies and improvements of existing products. The result could weaken economic growth in the U.S. and around the world.

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