Gardner Carrick is the vice president of workforce solutions for The Manufacturing Institute, where he leads the organization’s efforts to create a world-class workforce for the U.S. manufacturing sector. He oversees the Institute’s award-winning FAME education program, which delivers global best entry-level technicians to hundreds of manufacturers nationwide.

Gardner is creating a new national recognition program for the industry-based credentials used in most manufacturing education programs He is also leading a public-private partnership to determine the outcomes of manufacturing education programs and develop solutions in an effort to improve results.

Previously, Gardner led the Institute’s research activities, including partnerships with internationally recognized consulting firms, to produce a regular series of reports on the U.S. manufacturing sector. This included the Skills Gap series, in partnership with Deloitte, which first identified the talent shortage manufacturers now face. He also led the Institute’s military-to-manufacturing program to support transitioning service personnel.

Prior to joining the Institute, Gardner worked at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, where he served as the agency’s communications director, chief speechwriter and special projects director. He began his career at a consulting firm serving federal and state government clients focused on education and workforce development programs.

Gardner is a Carnegie Mellon University graduate and lives in Washington, D.C.