Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/95247
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ WHAT IS THE NEW NORTH? N ew North communities consistently are ranked among the best places to live in the country with great schools, ample recreational opportunities, a talented workforce, innovative companies and a high quality of life. New North, Inc., the regional ecomomic development organization representing the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, works to foster collaborations across the spectrum, grow the regional economy and promote the New North as a great place to live, work and raise a family. MENOMINEE OCONTO SHAWANO NEW MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE FLORENCE All Star MARINETTE WAUPACA OUTAGAMIE BROWN WAUSHARA FOND DU LAC TOM BAUGNET ✯ ✯ ✯ Georgia-Pacific Green Bay 6,000 The number of workers under 25 that are hired into manufacturing jobs in the New North each year. The average starting wage of workers in these positions is twice that of new hires in the region as a whole. 7.5% The percentage of manufacturing workers under 25. Their share is about half that of those over 55 (7.5% as compared to 14.2%). $48,000 Job title: Asset availability leader, secondary fiber. Job duties: Responsible for safety, reliability and productivity. The average yearly salary of manufacturing workers with associate degrees or some technical training. Most earn starting wages of over $40,000. SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU QUARTERLY WORKFORCE INDICATORS. Northeast Wisconsin is a manufacturing hub In the 18-county New North region, there are nearly 2,300 firms employing over 131,000 people. 23 percent of employment in our region is in manufacturing; the state average is 18 percent. Wages remain the highest, on average, of any industry sector in the region and are nearly the highest of any industry in the state. Starting wages also remain nearly 40 percent above the regional and state averages. The region's manufacturing sector is the only industry sector to register employment growth in every quarter since the end of the recession. SOURCE: OFFICE OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS/WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. What kind of school, classes, and training best prepared you with the necessary skills? A paper science degree through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I gained the most experience having various internships around the state with different companies, including International Paper, Wausau Paper, Appleton Papers and Sonoco. Each one makes a different kind of paper, and I got to see different kinds of technology. What is the most interesting thing about your job? Working to overcome complex problems. It can be something as simple as a process change or sometimes a complete redesign of equipment. Click here to watch the video. MANUFACTURING ALL STARS 2013 5 MARQUETTE GREEN LAKE WINNEBAGO CALUMET MANITOWOC SHEBOYGAN KEWAUNEE DOOR COURTESY OF ALEX ZACARIAS, 3N PRODUCTIONS, LLC