It is hard to overstate the importance of manufacturing to Michigan.

It directly employs more than 608,500 residents, and manufacturers in Michigan account for nearly 20 percent of the state’s gross domestic product — the sixth highest in the nation.

We have made tremendous strides in improving our state and making it more attractive to job creators. As a result, statewide unemployment dropped to 3.8 percent in July — the lowest it has been since August 2000.

Manufacturing helped lead the way. Michigan manufacturing has added more than 175,000 jobs in eight years, and our state leads the nation for manufacturing jobs created since December 2010.

Although the industry is thriving, manufacturers are struggling to find workers with the technical skills needed for available jobs.

It has been estimated that nearly 3.5 million manufacturing positions likely will be needed over the next decade, yet 2 million of those jobs are expected to go unfilled due to a skills gap.

I recently toured Tri-County Manufacturing Council in St. Joseph, Forest River Manufacturing in White Pigeon, and TH Plastics in Mendon. They all urged us to boost career and technical education to meet the growing need for skilled workers.

A key factor in our skilled jobs gap is a lack of focus on training and education in fields where positions exist.

I have introduced Senate Bill 344 to allow a student to receive a science, technology, engineering and mathematics certification as an incentive for taking additional STEM courses and to give them a competitive advantage in landing a well-paying job.

I also sponsored SB 343 to require schools to provide students with the most recent analysis of in-demand occupations in their region.

Michigan manufacturing is building a strong future for our state, but it will only be as strong as our workforce — making it so important that we provide students with greater information and educational opportunities to have successful careers.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.