Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing

Manufacturing is more than screwing parts together. Somebody also has to design the parts, manage the process, keep the workplace safe, check product quality, and, often, install and maintain the product. Those too are manufacturing jobs. 

Production

Assemblers, automated manufacturing technicians, machine operators, tool and die makers.

• Credentials – Certificates, associate degrees and higher degrees related to manufacturing specialties.

• Best prospects – Growth occupations include welders, tool and die makers, and multiple machine operators.

Manufacturing Production Process Development

Design engineers, precision inspectors, production managers.

• Credentials – Can range from high school graduation to advanced degrees.

• Best prospects – Average growth for electrical engineering, slower growth for industrial engineers and production managers.

Maintenance, Installation and Repair

Computer installers/repairers, instrument control technicians, meter installers/repairers.

• Credentials – Can enter from high school but some additional education and training will be required.

• Best prospects – Computer technicians and repair positions should see average growth. Expect a shortage of technicians able to keep up with increasingly complex equipment.

Quality Assurance

Calibration technicians, inspectors, lab technicians.

• Credentials – High school diploma is sufficient for some positions. Courses and credentials can continue through graduate school.

• Best Prospects – Growth has slowed thanks to increasing automation and production quality. 

Logistics and Inventory Control

Dispatchers, logisticians, material handlers, traffic managers.

• Credentials – Associate and B.S. degrees are available in business, marketing, logistics, engineering and transportation.

• Best Prospects – Excellent prospects for new entrants thanks to average growth and high turnover. 

Health, Safety and Environmental Assurance

Environmental engineers, health and safety representatives, safety coordinators, safety team leaders.

• Credentials – Training programs range from one and two years to four-year degrees. Many jobs require specialized certification.
• Best prospects – Environmental engineering positions are growing and increasingly focused on prevention rather than treatment. Many health and safety jobs are in government.