You may have heard a lot of people saying that manufacturing jobs in the U.S. are declining. But is there any truth to this? Are manufacturing jobs in demand or not? Keep reading to discover the answers.
Are Manufacturing Jobs in Demand?
The answer is complicated, but it can be summarized with a yes — manufacturing jobs are in demand in the United States right now. Let’s see what this means.
While it’s true that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects to see “little or no change” in employment in production occupations during the period 2020 to 2030, a series of factors are driving up demand for manufacturing jobs here and now.
The first of those factors is the pandemic. With millions of people forced to change their habits, demand for goods skyrocketed and manufacturing activity in the U.S. reached a 37-year high in March 2021.
And although manufacturing activity has slowed down to normal levels, “Companies continue to hire a strong rates,” according to the chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.
The Paradox of Manufacturing Jobs
Then there’s a paradox: surveys show that the manufacturing jobs are there, but the workers don’t seem to notice them. According to a study about manufacturing published in 2021, 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030.
The cause is twofold: first, manufacturers are struggling to find workers to fill entry-level positions. These jobs require no technical knowledge and the pay is higher than the federal minimum wage. However, job seekers are applying for jobs in other industries, such as retail.
This may be a case of self-fulfilling prophecy. In other words, since candidates believe that there are no manufacturing jobs available, they never apply for them.
The other reason why there’s a shortage of manufacturing workers is that companies are also finding it difficult to attract workers with the technical training necessary to fill middle-skill jobs.
Things get more complicated when you consider how fast technology is evolving. This means that the skills you need for a manufacturing job today may not be enough within three or five years.
The Bottom Line
So, what do all these figures and facts mean for you?
Simply put, it means that if you have the right qualifications and experience, or even just the will to work hard, there are manufacturing jobs out there for you right now.
It also means that since companies are having trouble finding skilled workers, you can get a leg up on the job market by acquiring the skills and qualifications that can turn you into a very interesting candidate for any manufacturing company.
Keep in mind that even if you know how to use social media to look and apply for manufacturing jobs, you can only do so much.
By seeking the assistance of a staffing company with a proven track record of success in the manufacturing sector like Driven Talent, your odds of finding the perfect job increase spectacularly.
Looking for a Manufacturing Job? Driven Talent Can Help!
Whether you are an employer looking for the ideal candidate to fill a position or a job seeker trying to take the next step in your career, Driven Talent is here to make things easier.
Contact us today by telephone (657-533-2980), through our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram), or fill out the contact form to learn more about our services and our philosophy.
And if you are interested in manufacturing jobs, check out our previous posts, “Manufacturing Jobs: Examples and Duties,” and “Manufacturing Jobs in California: What You Need To Know.”
