Why attend?
The manufacturing industry is facing a critical workforce shortage, with 600,000 vacant positions right now and another 3.8 million jobs expected to be needed by 2033. Attracting and retaining employees remains the top challenge for manufacturers, and without new strategies, many of these roles will go unfilled. In fact, studies predict that by 2030, nearly 2.1 million jobs could remain vacant.
Amid these challenges, we’re bringing together manufacturing leaders at the Skills Gap Summit 2025 to discuss how this shortage impacts knowledge transfer, productivity, and the future of the industry.
What to expect?
Now in its fourth year, we’re excited to present the Skills Gap Summit 2025—an exclusive event uniting manufacturers, thought leaders, associations, and key industry stakeholders. Building on the success of previous summits, here’s a glimpse of the key themes that will shape this year’s discussions:
- Snapshot on the Houston area workforce challenges
- Capturing critical knowledge before it leaves the site
- The importance of diversity in manufacturing
- Leveraging digital tools for training and workforce development
- Interactive Q&A to brainstorm and converge on solutions.

Who attends?
- SVPs, VPs, Plant Managers, Operations Directors, Unit Operating and Maintenance Leaders
- Senior and Global Reliability and Maintenance Managers
- Senior Health, Safety, and Environmental Managers
- Site Workforce Development and Human Resource Managers
- Site Learning and Development Coordinators
Last year, our attendees included:










When??
January 30th 2025
Where?
South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, Houston, Texas
Want to join?
Agenda.
Time
Session
Speaker
7:30 – 8:00
Breakfast and Registration
All
8:00 – 8:05
Welcome and Agenda
Paul Cook, Voovio
8:05 – 8:15
Safety Moment
David Gosnay, LyondellBasell, Training & Dev. Manager
8:15 – 8:50
A Skills Gap or Not, That is the Question –
Skills in Ever-changing Times
Falko Abels, BASF, VP of Operations
8:50 – 9:30
Automation Paradox
(Benefits and Challenges with Automation)
Panel Discussion:
BASF, LyondellBasell, Westlake, Exxon, Formosa, Covestro
9:30 – 10:00
Common Knowledge is not so Common
Susan Dadd, Covestro, Director Process Safety
10:00 – 10:15
Break
10:15 – 10:45
Why are Some Initiatives Doomed to Fail?
Jaime Aguilera, Voovio, CEO
10:45 – 11:15
Voovio Solutions Spotlight
Voovio Team
11:15 – 12:00
Industry Performance Statistics
Jorge Gomez, OSHA, Compliance Specialist
12:00 – 1:00
Lunch
1:00 – 1:45
Voovio Solutions Spotlight
Voovio Team
1:45 – 2:10
Safety Culture and Leadership
Richard Bass, Kuraray, HSE&S Manager
2:10 – 2:35
Back to Basics –
Operations Discipline Enhancements
Tarah Schneberger, LyondellBasell, GTLS Manager
2:35 – 2:50
Leadership Scenario Training
Ruben Cano, GTLS Sr Training Specialist, LyondellBasell
Mike Airington, GTLS Training Specialist, LyondellBasell
2:50 – 3:05
Break
3:05 – 3:30
Attracting and Retaining Women in Manufacturing
Amanda Deaver, Olin ,Global Environmental Manager
3:30 – 3:50
Bridging the Skills Gap
(Hiring, Onboarding, Retention: Capture, Transfer, & Retain Knowledge)
Panel Discussion:
Formosa, Dow, TBD
3:50
Closing & Wrap Up with Networking
All
Looking for where to stay?
We have a room block at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center at a discounted rate of $145 for Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30st January (Booking Link). Feel free to contact your Voovio host if you have any issues with the hotel.
