All Stars

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ manufacturing continues to remain steady despite an unsteady economy. The U.S. Federal Reserve's Midwest Manufacturing Index decreased 1.2 percent for August 2012, but is up 10.1 percent from a year earlier. While the Fed's Midwest Economy Index showed a decrease to its lowest value since December 2009, estimates of annual growth in gross state product were higher in Wisconsin than the national rate of growth. For August 2012, manufacturing employment was at 446,500, slightly down from 451,000 in July and 449,800 in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But evidence shows manufacturers are seeking workers: A survey released in October MANUFACTURERS SEEK OUT EMPLOYEES M by the Boston Consulting Group shows U.S. manufacturers need at least an additional 80,000 to 100,000 highly skilled employees. That estimate may be low: A 2011 survey by Deloitte Consulting and the Manufacturing Institute said U.S. manufacturers can't fill as many as 600,000 positions, even as unemployment numbers still linger at historic levels. The survey ("Boiling Point? The skills gap in U.S. manufacturing") found that 5 percent of current manufacturing jobs are unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. As baby boomers working for manufacturers retire, the demand for qualified employees will continue to increase. According to research by the Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI), 50 percent of the workforce in the top three manufacturing sectors (motor vehicle parts manufacturing, machine shops and machinery manufacturing for agriculture, construction and mining) is older than 45. Demand remains high for careers such as machine tool operators (earning $17+ an hour) and industrial engineers ($36+). While these jobs require skill training – either through on-the-job apprenticeships or technical college coursework – they are long-lasting careers that have significant earning potential and provide personal satisfaction. PROJECTED GROWTH IN KEY MANUFACTURING JOBS T he U.S. Department of Labor estimates manufacturers will need millions of new workers over the next seven years. By 2018, the government estimates a national need for: 357,000 ...................................................................... Maintenance and repair workers 85,000 ......................................................................... Industrial engineers 62,400 ........................................................................ Industrial machinery mechanics 18,500 ......................................................................... Industrial engineering technicians 15,000 .......................................................................... Machine tool operators 10,400 ......................................................................... Environmental technicians SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ALL STARS VIDEO AND PUBLICATION ONLINE NEW Manufacturing Alliance's annual manufacturing All Stars recognition program can be seen online. To view this publication online, go to www.newmfgalliance.org and click on the cover, or use your mobile phone to scan the QR code on the right. The online version will also allow you to view videos of each All Star. To view a compilation video: www.newmfgalliance.org NEW MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE All Star anufacturing is the heart of Wisconsin's economy. With nearly a quarter of all jobs in Northeast Wisconsin tied to manufacturing, it's no secret how important it is and how JOE ABITZ ✯ ✯ ✯ Nercon Eng. & Mfg., Inc. Oshkosh Job title: Regional sales manager covering the central Midwest, which includes the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. How did you decide on this career path? I never thought I would have ended up as a salesperson, but it ends up to be a great fit for me. I've always enjoyed problem solving, and manufacturing is the perfect career for that because products are always changing. Are there any negative perceptions about manufacturing careers that you would like to change? A lot of people think that manufacturing is just an assembly line where you do the same thing thousands of times a day. In reality, the manufacturing industry is constantly evolving to keep up with its customers' needs and wants. What might be a brand new production line might only remain that way for six months to a year before it is revamped to be something completely different. Click here to watch the video. MANUFACTURING ALL STARS 2013 3 COURTESY OF ALEX ZACARIAS, 3N PRODUCTIONS, LLC

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