Manufacturing Day 2016 Finds Demand for Talent Still Acute

The demand for manufacturing talent is still on the rise despite the slow growth rate

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Oct 07, 2016, 09:00 ET

HANOVER, Md., Oct. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For National Manufacturing Day, Aerotek, a leading provider of industrial staffing services, today released its second-annual list of "Opportunities in Manufacturing," including the top 10 fast growing U.S. industries for manufacturing employment as well as the top states driving employment. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a softening in the manufacturing industry, Aerotek notes the demand for manufacturing talent is still critical.

Manufacturing Day 2016 Finds Demand for Talent Still Acute

Top 10 Fastest-Growing U.S. Industries for Manufacturing Employment
Aerotek found that manufacturing jobs in the fastest-growing industries have shown employment growth in 2015-2016:

Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment: 7 percent
Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge): 5 percent
Perishable Prepared Food: 4 percent
Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting: 3 percent
Commercial Screen Printing: 3 percent
Wood Container and Pallet: 3 percent
Truck Trailer: 3 percent
Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim: 2 percent
Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly): 2 percent
Farm Machinery and Equipment: 2 percent

Top States for Manufacturing Employment

California
Texas
Indiana
Michigan
Iowa

According to Sara Staggs, director of divisional operations for Aerotek's Commercial Division, the industry softening is in response to market forces including the global economic downturn outside the U.S., a strong dollar and increasing competition from companies abroad.

"Despite the slower growth, finding talent is still one of the greatest challenges for manufacturing today," said Staggs. "Machinists, production workers and assemblers are among the top occupations in demand, while workers with skilled trade backgrounds such as welding and machining are also in high demand."

Open Positions in Skillsets with the Highest Demand
General Production Worker: 43,100
Light Industrial Assembler: 19,648
Machine Operator: 6,050
Maintenance Tech/Mechanics: 5,465
Welder: 3,818

This talent need is driven primarily by the rate of retirement and the reduction in supply of new workers entering the industry. Approximately 2.7 million workers will retire from the manufacturing industry in the next decade or so, according to a 2015 report by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, and they're not easily replaced.

Investing in the Future
The manufacturing industry has continued to evolve – relying more heavily on the operation, maintenance and programming of high tech machines – and shifting away from the outdated stigma of the manufacturing industry is critical in attracting talent. Millennials, who are well accustomed to using high tech devices, have great potential to embrace the increasingly sophisticated world of skilled trades.

Many organizations and states are taking actions to change the stigma and ensure the next generation of manufacturing is equipped with the necessary skills and training, and many companies and recruiting firms have started to form partnerships with schools to boost the pipeline of talent entering the manufacturing industry.

Aerotek currently participates in programs in a number of states, including a hands-on training program in San Diego to help give candidates the proper training and apprenticeships needed to explore a prepare for a career in modern manufacturing.

"Reaching out to millennials in a targeted approach can help change misperceptions that keep them from entering the skilled trade workforce," said Staggs. "We're actively working to update manufacturing's image by partnering with trade and vocational schools to highlight the impressive career opportunities in manufacturing."

To find out more information on National Manufacturing Day, visit the official website at www.mfgday.org, or join the conversation with the hashtag #mfgday16. To read more from Aerotek on the state of the manufacturing industry, check out the Business Insights page on Aerotek.com.

About Aerotek
Our people are everything. For more than 30 years, Aerotek® Inc. has distinguished itself as a leader in recruiting and staffing services by having a deep understanding of the intersection of talent and business. As a strategic partner to more than 17,000 clients and 300,000 contract employees every year, Aerotek's people-focused approach yields competitive advantage for its clients and rewarding careers for its contract employees. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a network of over 230 non-franchised offices with more than 6,000 internal employees dedicated to serving our customers. Aerotek is an operating company of Allegis Group, a global talent solutions provider. To learn more, visit Aerotek.com.

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SOURCE Aerotek