The conversation around today’s manufacturing sector is filled with hot topics—from industry 4.0, to smart factories, digitalization, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—that are just as likely to generate controversy as well as positive buzz. These disruptive technologies offer opportunities from innovative R&D to digital supply networks, but the most significant threat to their potential is a quickly widening skills gap. A new study on the manufacturing skills gap released by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute reveals that in manufacturing, the skills gap may leave an estimated 2.4 million positions unfilled between 2018 and 2028, with a potential economic impact of $2.5 trillion. Leading manufacturers are turning to modern learning and development (L&D) initiatives to tackle the issue, implementing flexible and interactive learning solutions that quickly teach employees the skills they need to operate new technology.