On October 4th, Manufacturing Day is naturally recognized and is the largest annual opportunity for educators, businesses and individuals to inspire the next generation to be apart of becoming the manufacturing workforce of the tomorrow. 

The primary goal of behind CWIMA's vision and initiatives towards a positive shift in perception around the manufacturing industry, is to align K-12 Education with Postsecondary Institutions and Industrial Employers to prepare the next generation of workforce talent for careers in Industry 4.0 and Advanced Manufacturing.  The driving force behind this initiative and the multi-faceted levels of collaboration, is the growing demand of Industry 4.0 skills within the Central Wisconsin workforce. 

Industry 4.0 technologies are rapidly transforming how people work in manufacturing, engineering and other sectors like transportation helping them become more productive by connecting new processes with smart devices to upload, analyze and utilize production data. The impact of these pieces of equipment will not only support alignment to industry trends but also cast a wider net of exposure to non-traditional students, specifically those who are interested in Math, Computer Science, Data Analytics, and Programming.

Interested in being apart of this manufacturing movement? Get in touch today and find out how you, or your company, can impact the future of the manufacturing workforce. 

Manufacturing has been experiencing a renaissance of late. American factories are hiring once again, and manufacturers are investing in newer, faster, and more technologically advanced machines than ever before.The demand for skilled workers is higher than it’s been in decades, but getting educated in manufacturing can be challenging. So what do you need to know about the manufacturing industry to decide if it’s right for you? This blog post will serve as an introduction to manufacturing jobs and careers. If you’re reading this because you have an interest in pursuing a career in the sector, we hope that this information helps set you on the right path.

What is Manufacturing?

Manufacturing is the process of transforming raw materials into usable goods. This can include everything from mining the raw materials, to shaping them into the parts that go into a product, to assembling everything together. Many goods we use every day are manufactured, from cars, clothes, and houses to electronics and pharmaceutical drugs. Manufacturing has a bad reputation for being dirty, dangerous, and low-paying, but thanks to technological advancements, many of those stereotypes are no longer true. Modern factories are clean, safe, and highly automated, meaning human workers spend their time monitoring machines and handling things like quality control. Consequently, many manufacturers are looking for employees who are skilled in robotics and automation engineering.

Career Path in Manufacturing

A career in manufacturing could mean a variety of things depending on the company and specific job. A manufacturing engineer might work in the design department to create the plans for a new product, while a machine operator at the same company might assemble and test that same product. Electronics engineers who work in manufacturing will design, test, and troubleshoot different pieces of technology. They’re really at the forefront of technological progress, designing the newest and best devices we all use on a daily basis. Depending on the type of manufacturing job you’re in, you might be responsible for ordering or acquiring raw materials, managing a group of employees, or even providing customer service. Manufacturers work with a wide range of materials, from metal, to plastic, to textiles, so it’s important that you have an understanding of them before entering the field.

Why Should High School Students Consider Careers in Manufacturing?

Manufacturing companies are hiring more employees than ever before, and the industry will be short more than 2 million skilled workers by 2030. If you’re looking for a stable career in a growing industry with plenty of opportunities, manufacturing might be a great fit. Other reasons high school students should consider manufacturing as a career include: - Engineering as a core competency - Manufacturing companies are increasingly looking for engineering graduates to join their teams. Engineering skills are essential for designing, building, maintaining, and improving modern production lines. - Strong employment outlook - The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in manufacturing to grow by 8% between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average growth rate in other industries. As the economy continues to grow and demand for manufactured products increases, manufacturers will need more workers. - High salaries - Depending on your education level, you could be earning a six-figure salary within a few years. On average, engineers earn $81,000 annually, and electronic engineers have a median salary of $93,000.

Finding The Right Course

When you’re researching programs and courses in manufacturing, one of the first things you’ll notice is the wide range of specializations available. From computer-aided design, to robotics and automation engineering, to industrial engineering, there are many different ways to break into manufacturing. You might also notice that many colleges offer combined degrees in manufacturing and engineering. While this is a great option for some students, it’s important to understand that you won’t see a difference in your job title after graduating. You’ll be an engineer, not a manufacturer. Before you start looking for schools, think about your long-term career goals. Do you want to design products? Work in quality assurance? Become an entrepreneur? Having a general idea of which path you want to follow will make your search easier.

Benefits of a Career in Manufacturing

Manufacturing offers a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to advance. A general manager of a manufacturing plant could earn upwards of $200,000 per year. It’s important to note that salaries vary depending on your education level, experience, and the company you work for. Manufacturing also offers some extra benefits, including generous paid time off (typically two weeks per year), health and dental insurance, and retirement plans. Manufacturers are also more likely to provide tuition assistance and internships then other industries, making them an attractive employer for many students.

How to Find the Right Program for You

When it comes to choosing the right program, one of the most important things to consider is whether or not you’ll be accepted. You can use our search tool, College Choice, to find programs and universities that align with your interests, goals, and academic strengths. You’ll also want to make sure that the program you choose has a good job outlook. You can find this information on the BLS website and in our College Results pages. After that, it’s largely a matter of choosing a program that works for your schedule and fits into your budget. There are a few considerations you might want to keep in mind when choosing a program, including: - Location - Are you willing to relocate? How far are you willing to go? Does the program you want to study exist in the area you want to live? - Degree - What are your long-term goals? Do you want a bachelor’s or master’s degree? What program will get you there the quickest? - Availability and tuition - How many programs are offered online? Do you want to go to school full-time or part-time? What’s the cost of attendance? - Location and degree - Is there a local program that offers what you want to study? How difficult will it be to transfer credits to your preferred university.

Conclusion

Manufacturing is a rewarding career that offers plenty of opportunities for advancement. From designing new products to managing a production line, there are many different paths you can follow in the manufacturing sector. This article has given you an overview of what manufacturing is, what a career in manufacturing entails, and why you should consider a career in manufacturing. We’ve also explored what a career in manufacturing entails, as well as some of the benefits of a career in manufacturing. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing, it’s important to do your research. Make sure you understand the industry and what a career in manufacturing entails. From there, it’s a matter of choosing a program that fits your budget, schedule, and career goals.

Manufacturing jobs are some of the most in-demand opportunities in the workforce. These jobs are often associated with blue-collar work and images of factories, production lines, and assembly workers come to mind for many people. But manufacturing has changed a lot in recent years and now requires a variety of skills and training. If you’re interested in working as a manufacturing engineer or another type of manufacturing professional, it’s important to understand what skills you need to get hired. Whether you want to build cabinets on your own as a cabinet maker or manage teams as an industrial engineer, knowing what they look for can help you stand out from the competition. To excel at any type of manufacturing job, it’s useful to develop your employability skills – or transferable skills that can be applied across roles and industries. Here’s everything you need to know about the employability skills required for successful careers in manufacturing jobs.

What Is A Transferable Skill?

A transferable skill is any skill that can be applied to a variety of industries and roles. These are the kinds of skills that employers look for because they can be applied across different types of positions and industries. Some examples of transferable skills are:

• Critical thinking: This skill is used to analyze situations and see the connections between different parts of a project or issue.
• Interpersonal skills: This includes skills like communication, team-building, or influencing others.
• Negotiation skills: This includes the ability to work with people to reach a mutually beneficial outcome. These skills can come in handy in almost any field, so it’s important to build them up. If you focus on developing these skills, you can take them with you to almost any job.

Developing Your Employability Skills

Manufacturing jobs require a variety of skills, but many of them can be considered employability skills. Here are a few tips to help you develop these skills:

• Build up your professional network: You never know where your next job opportunity will come from. Building relationships with people in your industry, as well as your colleagues, can help you explore new opportunities.
• Develop a specialty: Building up your skillset makes you more desirable to employers. But specializing in a certain skillset, like electrical engineering, will help you stand out even more.
• Pursue a certification: Earning a certification can help you expand your skill set while also showing potential employers that you’ve put in the effort to improve your abilities.
• Build your academic knowledge: You can’t rely on your on-the-job skills alone. You need to have a strong academic foundation in order to apply your skills in the right way.

Manufacturing Job Skills List

Here are a few skills that are common among manufacturing professionals. You can use these as a guide to help you identify which skills you need to develop.

• Critical thinking: This skill is used to analyze situations and see the connections between different parts of a project or issue. Critical thinking skills are often applied in manufacturing to solve problems or model potential outcomes for a project.
• Interpersonal skills: This includes skills like communication, team-building, or influencing others. Interpersonal skills can help you lead project teams or collaborate with other departments inside your company.
• Negotiation skills: This includes the ability to work with people to reach a mutually beneficial outcome. Negotiation skills are often used between departments or with suppliers to create win-win scenarios.
• Teamwork: Manufacturing work often requires a team-based approach. These skills can be applied to your career and help you work more effectively in teams.
• Planning: Planning for projects is an important factor for success in manufacturing. Planning for the right resources and materials, as well as forecasting and scheduling, is essential to manufacturing work.

Negotiation and Influencing Skills

These skills often overlap, but they all play a role in manufacturing. Negotiation, for example, can be used to work with suppliers to create a mutually beneficial contract. Or, you can use these skills to team up with other departments to create win-win situations for your company. This can help you collaborate more effectively across teams. Influencing skills are also helpful in manufacturing because they allow you to motivate others to complete tasks or help support your goals. Following the right leadership skills can also help you stand out as a leader to your team members.

Electronic Engineering and Computer Programming Skills

Electronic engineers are responsible for designing and building electrical circuits and systems. These engineers use computer programming skills to create the systems they design. Computer programming skills often go hand-in-hand with electronics engineering. If you’re interested in developing these skills, you can find a variety of courses at local colleges or online. You can also find part-time or freelance work as a programmer if you want to explore these skills without getting a full-time job.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in a manufacturing career, it’s important to understand what skills are necessary for success. You can use these skills to help you explore the many different manufacturing fields and find the best fit for you. Knowing what skills are important for manufacturing jobs can help you better prepare for these careers. If you’re interested in manufacturing, it’s important to develop these skills to help you succeed.