This week on the Empowering Industry Podcast, Charli gets on the mic with Robert Merritt, Co-Founder and CEO of SlateUp, for a timely conversation on manufacturing, workforce challenges, and what the future of talent looks like heading into 2026.
Robert shares his perspective on why manufacturing’s talent gap is not just a hiring issue, but a systems problem that spans education, workforce development, and industry leadership. The discussion covers AI’s emerging role on the shop floor, why experience-first hiring limits growth, the importance of frontline managers in retention, and how manufacturers can rethink work-and-learn pathways to build stronger teams. Robert also offers practical advice for manufacturers and job seekers alike, highlighting manufacturing as one of the most powerful career paths for long-term economic mobility.
Robert Merritt is a seasoned executive with more than two decades of experience building and leading businesses at the intersection of technology, talent, and workforce. As CEO and co-founder of SlateUp, he leads a Chicago-based AI-powered industrial workforce platform focused on connecting frontline workers with high-growth manufacturing careers. SlateUp emphasizes employer-validated career pathways, upskilling, and economic mobility for workers, while helping manufacturers attract, retain, and invest in their workforce.
Before founding SlateUp, Robert held senior leadership roles at Upwork, Wonolo, and General Assembly, where he helped scale enterprise partnerships, revenue, and talent solutions. Earlier in his career, he founded Merit Inc., an executive search firm specializing in mission-critical leadership roles. He is also a contributor to Fast Company, sharing insights on workforce innovation and the evolving manufacturing landscape.
Learn more about SlateUp: https://www.slateup.co/