Just Launched: A Critical Materials Career Map

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) recently unveiled a critical materials career map designed to demystify this complex sector by highlighting the variety of roles, essential skills, and potential career pathways required to support and expand a robust domestic critical materials industry.

Collaborating with the National Laboratory of the Rockies and Julius Education, AMMTO developed the career map for educators, career advisors, job seekers, employers, policymakers, and workforce development professionals seeking a comprehensive framework that can serve as a guide for:

• Understanding specific workforce needs required to support a domestic critical minerals and materials supply chain.
   
• Outlining pathways for the existing workforce to pivot, adapt, and transfer their skills to fit evolving industry needs.
   
• Identifying the specific training or certifications needed for career progression within the critical materials supply chain.

The career map is a tool to raise awareness and interest for the types of skills, roles, and experiences expected when working in the critical minerals and materials sector. The breadth of disciplines and opportunities underscores the urgent need to expand U.S. domestic workforce training and career development pathways to meet surging global demand for critical materials, especially those necessary for advanced manufacturing and national security applications.