The Manufacturing Slump, for the Blue-Collar Laborer

Blue-collar jobs, or jobs often involving manual labor, were readily available in the production era. During this era, there were not enough goods to go around, so consumers bought whatever was available. Then changes in technology prompted a number of manufacturing companies to outsource jobs overseas, reducing the number of blue-collar jobs available in the United States. Although manufacturing is currently experiencing a comeback in the United States, blue-collar laborers are still experiencing an employment slump.

One of the biggest factors affecting the availability of blue-collar jobs is the increasing need for skilled workers. In the past, blue-collar jobs were available to people who could perform simple assembly tasks or other tasks that did not require much education or training. The manufacturing industry now needs skilled workers to maintain and repair machines, oversee complicated processes, and perform advanced tasks. Henry Foy of the "Financial Times" reports that some manufacturers are luring skilled workers away from their employers, resulting in increased efforts to find replacements. As manufacturing executives focus on replacing skilled workers, there are fewer blue-collar jobs available.

Technology trends also affect the number of blue-collar jobs in the manufacturing industry. People who apply for manufacturing jobs must now know how to work with computers and robotics. In some cases, robots have replaced manufacturing workers, leading to a decline in blue-collar jobs in the United States. Outsourcing has also made blue-collar workers an "endangered species," according to Michael Snyder of Business Insider. It is perfectly legal for American companies to outsource manufacturing jobs to countries where workers receive lower wages. Many of these countries also have less-stringent safety regulations, making it less expensive for American companies to run their production facilities there.

A shift in employment trends has also resulted in a slump for blue-collar workers. An article in the BLS's "Monthly Labor Review" indicates that more people now hold white-collar jobs than blue-collar jobs. This change has had a negative impact on job patterns for blue-collar workers. One of the most evident results is the fact that blue-collar workers now make up a significant number of the unemployed population. Because men are more likely to hold blue-collar jobs than women, the shift is affecting a disproportionate number of men in the manufacturing workforce.

The blue-collar workforce has not been completely eliminated, but a number of changes in technology and the economy have prompted manufacturing employers to focus on hiring more-skilled workers. As a result, blue-collar jobs are changing rapidly. Those who are able to adapt to these changes by learning new skills will have the best opportunities for employment. Those who do not adapt will not have as many opportunities for blue-collar jobs as they once did. This situation can have a profound and lasting impact on the composition of the American manufacturing industry.

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