Bay area manufacturers are looking for a few skilled workers, but according to a recent study, those trained employees are hard to find.
Now Hillsborough County leaders are taking steps to fill in the gap.
Commissioners approved $1 million in funding over the next two years for manufacturing education programs. They want to give high schoolers and military veterans the skills they need for those jobs.
Hillsborough Community College is already working on a few of the new programs.
"A lot of this again is focused on raising awareness about what today's manufacturing industry looks like, what do manufacturing facilities look like, what is it like to work in one of those facilities. It's really about changing perceptions of the manufacturing industry," said Ginger Clark, vice president of workforce training at HCC.
Leaders at HCC said they're using the $322,000 they received from the county to buy cutting-edge manufacturing equipment. They're creating a new high school summer camp where students can get certified in the industry.
There will also be more manufacturing help for veterans.
HCC was just one place to receive funding for manufacturing education programs.
Hillsborough commissioners also set aside $325,000 for new training and equipment at several area high schools.