How can we foster the increase in manufacturing jobs in the US?

Regulations to level the playing field between small and medium sized companies.

Like individuals larger corporations should pay a higher tax rate than medium and smaller companies.

Discounts and rebates for smaller companies could be offered by cooperative companies.

Government agencies like `Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership` can help http://www.nist.gov/mep/ has over 1,300 technical experts, operating out of 60 regional centers located in every U.S. state to serve as trusted business advisors focused on solving manufacturers’ challenges and identifying opportunities for growth.

Many countries have technology acceleration programs that provide help.

In the US MEP has introduced a new training program, the Innovation Engineering Management System, which includes a digital tool set, online collaborative workspace, and formal curriculum to help U.S. manufacturers innovate and grow.

The UK’s MAS offers a support service, called a workout where MAS practitioners spend up to two weeks onsite working hands-on.

Japan’s Kohsetsushi Centers help perform R&D of direct relevance to new technologies and products.

Austria and Germany excel at engaging SMEs in collaborative, consortia-based, precompetitive research programs organized around specific industrial technologies.

Germany’s Fraunhofer Institutes and Austria’s Kompetenzzentren undertake applied research of direct utility to private enterprise.

Next-generation manufacturing technical assistance
 

Many countries offer innovation vouchers for $5,000 - $30,000 to buy expertise from universities, national laboratories, or public research institutes.