Manufacturing Day celebrates what 12 million people around the United States experience every day—working in manufacturing. Manufacturing continues to be an economic driver in the United States. It is what we do. We invent and create goods that are sold all over the world.
In Fact:
- Every $1.00 in manufactured goods generates an additional $1.48 of additional economic activity – higher than any other economic sector
- In 2011, the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $77,060 annually, including pay and benefits. The average worker in all industries earned $60,168.
- U.S. manufacturers are responsible for 47 percent of total U.S. exports.
- Manufacturing in the United States would be the 10th largest economy in the world.
- Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing.
These statistics notwithstanding, there is still more work to be done. The demands of manufacturing require increased knowledge of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) areas and the skills of problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and team work. The growing use of technology and innovations requires skilled workers and educational programs that address the demand for a highly skilled workforce.
Students must be introduced to the career opportunities and encouraged to pursue the STEM courses early on in their high school curriculum. In order to address the future workforce challenges facing the manufacturing industry, the importance of STEM education, team building skills, and communication skills must be ingrained in the youth. As the economy improves, those jobs will grow and young people need to pursue these career paths in order to be prepared when they complete their education.
American Welding Online is proud to play a part in educating tomorrow’s welders and securing the future of manufacturing within the United States. We are dedicated to providing live and virtual content that address the needs of both the welding and manufacturing.