The manufacturing workforce has been shaped by decades of industry transformation. Modern manufacturing requires workers with a diverse set of skills to perform functions such as research and development (R&D), product and production design, marketing and sales, and customer support. While workers with a high school diploma or less dominated the manufacturing workforce of the past, today, even production jobs have begun to shift to workers with postsecondary education. The result is that while manufacturing still has good jobs that pay well, they are now going to a downsized, better-educated workforce. This report describes five key trends that define the changing character of the manufacturing workforce: (1) Manufacturing, once the powerhouse of the industrial economy, now plays a smaller, less central role in an economy dominated by services; (2) Manufacturing, despite its decline, is still a source of good jobs for less educated workers; (3) While there are still good jobs in manufacturing, the structure of economic opportunity has shifted in favor of those with postsecondary education and industry-recognized credentials; (4) Manufacturing workers, like workers in other industries, now pursue education and training options beyond traditional degrees and diplomas; and (5) Current trends suggest that there will be no return to the glory days when good manufacturing jobs were plentiful for high school-educated workers. While it continues to be a top source of good jobs in many states, manufacturing is not expected to be a major job generator in the future. The industry's shrinking presence across the country means that it employs fewer workers, provides fewer good jobs, and creates smaller ripples in the surrounding economy. Production itself is being reshaped through new techniques, such as 3-D printing, robotics, and computer-based modeling and simulation. These trends, often associated with advanced manufacturing, have altered the mix of production and non-production functions needed by employers, reinforcing the demand for educated and skilled workers. This report details four suggested practical steps to bolster the economic vibrancy of manufacturing firms and workers: (1) Support research and technology development in manufacturing; (2) Build the capacity of small and medium-sized manufacturers; (3) Build the manufacturing workforce of the future; and (4) Improve worker transitions. Acting on these ideas will require a new understanding from policymakers and the public.