The manufacturing industry has finally started to rebound from the decline experienced during the Great Recession in the United States. Manufacturing workers have more opportunities now than they did two years ago, but some need to update their skills to keep up with recent industry trends. The increased popularity of 3D printing and the emergence of new manufacturing technologies are changing the way companies use manufacturing workers to produce goods. In the past, manufacturing was about mass production. Today, it is about using high-tech machines and software to produce customized products based on customer specifications.
One of the biggest trends affecting manufacturing workers is the shortage of qualified people available to fill more than 500,000 advanced manufacturing jobs. Executives cite a lack of applicants with problem-solving skills as one of the biggest problems facing recruiters in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing workers who have the skills required to use high-tech computer systems and robotics will have more opportunities than workers who do not.
Job growth is another trend occurring in the industry. Texas is one of the states experiencing job growth in the manufacturing sector, buoyed mostly by promises from Google and Apple to build or assemble their products in the state. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is especially attractive to manufacturing companies, as energy there is cheaper than in other areas. The metropolitan area is also very close to some major transportation routes, which makes it easier to get finished goods from the manufacturer to the customer.
Three-dimensional printing is going to be one of the biggest trends to affect manufacturing workers in the coming years. This technology makes it possible to print product parts based on blueprints provided by the manufacturer. Manufacturing companies will need to shift their focus from production and assembly to innovation and sales. Some companies are already using 3D printing to create product components and reduce costs, so managers and executives must change their approaches immediately. If the cost of 3D printing decreases enough to make its use more widespread, manufacturing companies will have to create blueprints and sell them to customers instead of producing product components and shipping them to customers. This trend has the potential to change the entire industry.
This is an exciting time to be a manufacturing professional, especially if you have advanced skills and knowledge of high-tech production processes. All signs point to a positive outlook for the industry, as manufacturers are embracing new technology and creating more jobs. There are plenty of opportunities available for skilled manufacturing workers, but you must be willing to update your skills and learn new technologies to compete with other workers.
(Photo courtesy of Suat Eman / freedigitalphotos.net)
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!