For years, the narrative was simple: manufacturing was leaving America. Plants were shutting down, production was moving overseas, and the skilled trades were getting squeezed out.
That story is over.
Global supply chain failures, geopolitical tension, and new federal incentives have flipped the script. Companies across the U.S. are reshoring production, expanding domestic capacity, and breaking ground on new industrial facilities at a pace we haven’t seen in decades.
According to national reshoring data, over 300,000 manufacturing jobs returned to the U.S. in 2024, and more than $450 billion in new factory construction is currently underway. This isn’t a trend. This is a pivot point, and if you’re certified or working toward it, this shift offers a significant opportunity.
Reshoring Tied Directly to a Nationwide Infrastructure Boom
This manufacturing revival is riding alongside a surge of major energy, pipeline, and industrial development projects. These aren’t routine jobs. These are multi-year, multi-billion-dollar builds that require strict compliance, heavy inspection, and a level of quality that only certified professionals can deliver.
From Permian to the Northeast: An Overview of Key Industry Drivers
Recent announcements from leading energy companies paint a clear picture of the scale and variety of the work ahead. Together, these projects represent over $7.6 billion in capital commitment, necessitating a certified workforce for everything from greenfield pipeline construction to complex brownfield facility upgrades.
| Project & Scope | Type of Work/Assets | Key Certifications in Demand |
| Targa's Speedway Pipeline | New NGL pipeline construction (500+ miles), Gas Processing Plants (Yeti) and facility expansions (Buffalo Run). | API 1169, API 510, API 570 |
| Kinder Morgan Expansions | Large-scale new pipeline construction (Trident, MSX) and complex looping/compression upgrades on existing systems (SSE4). | CWI, NDT, API 510, API 570, ICC |
| Iroquois ExC Project | Upgrade and expansion of critical compression stations and associated piping to enhance gas reliability for the Northeast. | CWI, NDT, API (General) |
This diversity of work—which includes brand-new pipelines, existing system tie-ins, and gas plant construction—underscores the need for inspectors who are certified across multiple disciplines, guaranteeing safety and compliance in every phase of development.
Why Reshoring Demands Certified Expertise
A modern manufacturing facility isn’t just steel and concrete. It’s robotics, automation, process piping, pressure systems, structural fabrication, and high-spec equipment. Every one of those elements has a governing code and a compliance requirement. Companies can’t afford shortcuts. Not anymore.
When a plant is reshored, the expectation is simple:
- Build it right the first time.
- Build it to code.
- Build it to last.
That’s why certified professionals are no longer optional; they’re essential.
How Your Certifications Fit Into the Reshoring Boom
To secure roles on projects of this magnitude, professionals must hold current, relevant certifications. Following courses directly prepare you for the specific challenges presented by these large-scale infrastructure investments:
ICC Certification:
New factories, warehouses, compressor stations, and terminals all require strict adherence to commercial building codes. ICC-certified professionals ensure structures are safe, compliant, and ready for commissioning.
CWI Certification:
Every manufacturing facility relies heavily on structural steel fabrication and process piping. CWIs verify weld quality on new builds, pipeline tie-ins, equipment supports, and structural connections.
On projects like the Western Gateway Pipeline, CWIs are involved from root pass to final acceptance.
API Certifications (510, 570, 653)
Pressure vessels, tank farms, and process piping must be certified to operate. API inspectors validate integrity, ensure compliance with design codes, and oversee repairs, critical on reversed flow lines and new pipeline segments.
NDT Certifications (PT, MT, UT, RT, ET)
NDT techs detect flaws that can’t be seen with the naked eye. On reshoring and pipeline upgrades, Level II technicians support:
- Weld acceptance
- Tank inspections
- Structural assessments
- Pipeline tie-ins
- Hydrotest verification
These roles are not going away. They’re growing.
The Window of Opportunity Is Open, Right Now!
Reshoring isn’t a temporary economic spike. It’s a strategic shift in how America builds, supplies, and secures its own industrial capability.
There will be:
- more plants
- more pipelines
- more terminal upgrades
- more fabrication
- more inspection
- more demand for certified professionals
If you’re certified, you’re positioned to ride this wave. If you’re not, this is the time to get qualified. America is rebuilding its manufacturing backbone. The work is coming. The demand is rising. The only question left is whether you’ll be certified when the opportunity arrives.
Your certification isn’t just a credential.
It’s your ticket into America’s industrial comeback!
Recommended Reading: Previous Industry Coverage
The current energy momentum builds upon previous expansion announcements that Atlas Training has covered in detail. For deeper context on project specifics and the role of inspectors, we recommend reviewing these related articles:
Targa's Speedway NGL Pipeline: A New Chapter for Permian Energy Infrastructure
Your Field Guide to Kinder Morgan's $5 Billion Natural Gas Expansion
Big Opportunity in the Pipeline: Iroquois Expansion Clears Key Hurdle in New York
(https://atlasapitraining.com/blog/atlas-training-industry-news-1/iroquois-pipeline-expansion-64)