Promoting Manufacturing Jobs

Manufacturing jobs aren't first on many students' minds. Perhaps the downturn of the financial industry will change the outlook on jobs that help create tangible goods. While the U.S. economy has been service based for a while, our country still has high-quality jobs in manufacturing. While overall employment has decreased in the industry, it is because of automation and engineering. This has created a demand for more highly-skilled workers. The demand is such that wages have really outpaced that of the workforce as a whole. The starting wages at my company have increased almost 25% over the last three years! It is a unique opportunity for engineers with only a bachelor's or master's degree.

This article, from the Evansville Courier and Press, speaks of the promotion of jobs in the manufacturing sector. The article speaks of improving "the standard of living and quality of life for area residents" and "resources within the region, student scholarships and funds available for teachers." I think they would be better served showing how much money can be made in manufacturing! Chemical industry jobs in the Houston area have a median income of $84,000 a year. That's a ton of money. That includes engineers, operators with a high school degree, new operators and technicians with a two year degree and managment and research.

Manufacturing is often thought of as dirty and labor-intensive. This is no longer true. Government regulations have made manufacturing environments clean and safe. Companies are constantly working at reducing their environmental impact and energy requirements. These improvements come from within. Jobs within the "manufacturing" industry include projects, laboratories, operations, managment, electrical engineering, civil engineering, drafting and design, maintenance and other technical-based crafts. No company that manufactures anything is without a research and design group. Many of these skill sets translate across different sectors. The opportunity within manufacturing is great, and the impact is tangible.