Meeting the U.S. Defense Imperative: Challenges and Opportunities in the Development of the Defense Industrial Base Workforce

As the U.S. works to modernize its defense capabilities, the need for a strong, skilled workforce has never been clearer. The defense industrial base (DIB) includes the people and organizations responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the systems that keep the nation secure—from advanced manufacturing and engineering to logistics, maintenance, and supply chain operations. 

This joint session by CSIS and the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement (NIICA) will take a close look at how workforce readiness and talent pipelines shape the country’s ability to meet the defense imperative. Panelists will discuss what the U.S. is being called to deliver across land, sea, and air; examine the current state of the defense workforce; and explore how existing approaches stack up against growing demand. 

The conversation will also highlight how industry, education, and government partners are building the next generation of cleared and skilled talent—through training, apprenticeships, and coordinated workforce strategies designed to scale capacity across the defense supply chain. Participants will walk away with a clearer view of the challenges ahead—and actionable ideas for strengthening the workforce behind America’s defense and industrial capacity. 

Why It Matters 

 Modern defense systems depend on more than technology—they depend on people. The U.S. defense industrial base continues to face challenges filling technical, engineering, and production roles essential to meeting readiness goals. 

To deliver on upcoming priorities, industry, government, and education partners must work together to attract more talent and align training and hiring strategies with real-world mission needs. That means expanding talent pipelines that prepare workers for both cleared and uncleared roles, streamlining pathways into the DIB, and ensuring that programs reflect the evolving demands of production and sustainment. By coordinating efforts and sharing what works, the defense ecosystem can strengthen capacity, accelerate delivery, and create meaningful career opportunities that support both national security and economic growth. 

General Disclosure:

This project has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Contract number, 1605C2-22-C-006, the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor documents mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.