Manufacturing Jobs / Production Jobs / Manufacturing Careers

Career Guide to Manufacturing

Although the United States has lost millions of manufacturing jobs to countries like China, there are still well paying, job opportunities for skilled workers in the manufacturing sector right here!

In a study on the issue, the United States Labor department reported that too few young people consider manufacturing careers and often are unaware of the job skills needed in the more advanced manufacturing environments. As more and more baby boomers retire, the problem is expected to accelerate and many fear these well paying jobs will remain unfilled.

Some states, schools and businesses are collaborating to address this shortfall in skilled workers, directly through vocational training and workforce development programs.

For the entrepreneur: Manufacturing is essentially the same no mater what product you are producing. It is governed by supply and demand. The term "manufacture it and they will buy" does not always hold true. Manufacturing a product that was popular 25 years ago will not necessarily sell in today’s market. You can however manufacture a product that no one has seen before and with some creative marketing create demand for that product.

So what is required to manufacture a successful product? Start with the basics of any business, the business plan. This is essential to the success of any business be it a manufacturing or service based business. A business play will provide you with important information such as:

• What your costs are going to be
• Who are your suppliers
• How are you going to market your product
• What distribution channels will you use
• What customer support will you need to provide

A good business plan is my no means cast in stone. There is always room for adjustment as you refine your process, find new suppliers or change marketing channels.

Producing the product is the one step that requires the most attention. Not having the right staff, process, equipment or suppliers could bring your whole venture to an abrupt end. One of the biggest costs in the manufacturing business is the labor component. But having the right personnel who are dependable, experts at what they do and take pride in their work are also one of the biggest assets a manufacturing company. So take your time to choose your staff.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, then a career in Production or Manufacturing might be for you!

The textile, textile product, and apparel manufacturing industries include establishments that turn fiber into fabric and fabric into clothing and other textile products. While some factories are highly automated, others still rely mostly on people to cut and sew pieces of fabric together. The apparel industry has moved mainly to other countries with cheaper labor costs, while the textile industry has been able to automate much of its production to effectively compete with foreign suppliers. This industry is evolving and its need for a more highly skilled workforce is growing. The textile and apparel manufacturing industries are rapidly modernizing, as new investments in automation and information technology have been made necessary by growing international competition. Firms also have responded to competition by developing new products and services. For example, some manufacturers are producing textiles developed from fibers made from recycled materials. These innovations have had a wide effect across the industry. Advanced machinery is boosting productivity levels in textiles, costing some workers their jobs while fundamentally changing the nature of work for others. New technology also has led to increasingly technical training for workers throughout the industry. Computers and computer-controlled equipment aid in many functions, such as design, patternmaking, and cutting. Wider looms, more computerized equipment, and the increasing use of robotics to move material within the plant are other technologies recently designed to make the production plant more efficient. Despite these changes, however, the apparel industry—especially its sewing function—has remained significantly less automated than many other manufacturing industries.

Some factories run 24 hours a day causing production workers to work evenings and weekends. Many operators work on rotating schedules, which can cause sleep disorders and other stress from constant changes in work hours. Overtime is common for these workers during periods of peak production. Managerial and administrative support personnel typically work a 5-day, 40-hour week in an office setting, although some of these employees also may work significant overtime. Travel is an important part of the job for many managers and designers, who oversee the design and production of apparel. As more production moves abroad, foreign travel is becoming more common. Quality-control inspectors and other workers also may need to travel to other production sites, especially if working for large companies.

What Education/Certifications do you need for:
Manufacturing Jobs / Production Jobs / Manufacturing Careers

As the production of textiles and apparel items becomes more technologically advanced, education and training is playing a larger role in the workplace. While a high school diploma or GED may be sufficient for some entry-level positions and for some machine operators, familiarity with computers and some postsecondary training is needed for more technical jobs and to operate more sophisticated machinery. Additionally, as more of the production of apparel is moved offshore, the workers who remain in apparel manufacturing are more likely to be administrative and professional workers who often require more formal postsecondary education or a Bachelor’s degree.

Other qualifications. Engineering applicants generally need a bachelor’s or advanced degree in a field of engineering or production management. Degrees in mechanical or industrial engineering are common, but concentrations in textile-specific areas of engineering are especially useful. For example, many applicants take classes in textile engineering, textile technology, textile materials, and design. These specialized programs usually are found in engineering and design schools in the South and Northeast. As in other industries, a technical degree with an advanced degree in business can lead to opportunities in management.

Current & Future Job Outlook for:
Manufacturing Jobs / Production Jobs / Manufacturing Careers

Job prospects. Despite the overall decline in employment, job prospects for skilled production workers, engineers, merchandisers, and designers should be fair as the industry evolves into one that primarily requires people with good communication skills, creativity, and who are skilled enough to operate today’s high technology computer-operated machines. The United States is leading the world in discovering new fibers and finding new uses for high-technology textiles. For example, biotechnology research is expected to lead to new sources of fibers, such as corn and other plants, and result in improvements in existing fibers. Some fibers currently being introduced have built-in memories of color and shape, and some have antibacterial qualities. Nanotechnology will also contribute to development of original fibers and garments for specialty uses. As these technologies and engineering advancements in textile production are implemented, the need will grow for more highly skilled workers who can work in an increasingly high-technology environment.

Employment change. Wage and salary employment in the textile, textile product, and apparel manufacturing industries is expected to decline by 35 percent through 2016, compared with a projected increase of 11 percent for all industries combined. Nevertheless, some job openings will arise as experienced workers transfer to other industries or retire or leave the workforce for other reasons.