When Henry Ford rolled out the first moving assembly line, the time it took to build a car dropped from 12 hours to just a hair over two.
Now that’s American innovation.
The assembly line is the first image that comes to mind when we think of manufacturing jobs, particularly in the United States. However, thanks to the impact and influence of the technological revolution, that image has become a bit dated. Both what employees make and how they build it has given a whole new meaning to the job description for manufacturing positions.
High-tech equals high paying
Modern manufacturing jobs require a high level of skill and very specific training. These jobs have moved off the assembly line and into computerized control rooms, where anything from plane parts to 3D printing can be created. Many jobs that were once performed by general workers are now completed by mechanical robots, which need an engineer or an information technology employee to control. The talent of these skilled workers is so precise that machinists, technicians and engineers can often earn more than $70k a year.
Wide open positions
According to a Manpower group survey, these jobs are the hardest to fill. In fact, in 2011, more than half a million of these jobs went unfilled because the skilled professionals needed just weren’t available. That means there is a lot of income out there just waiting to be earned.
New vision of the old assembly line
What Ford started more than 100 years ago has become something of a modern marvel. Instead of building autos, manufacturing jobs now task employees with developing cutting-edge automation. Instead of being hired right out of high school, machinists and technicians now need specialized training. Instead of pushing buttons and pulling levers, employees in manufacturing positions must work in computer-integrated labs.
A diverse workforce
High-tech manufacturing positions are just one facet of this vast job market. Technicians, machinists, engineers and trained craftsmen of varying skills and talents make up a very diverse workforce. Not all of these openings are rooted in high-tech tasks; welders, machine operators, assemblers and even quality control are all traditional manufacturing jobs that are still in high demand.
The manufacturing jobs of the 21st century allow workers, both temporary and permanent, to use their hands to build technological advances that can really benefit mankind. These jobs are about more than just building parts; they also help build the U.S. economy. In 2011, the manufacturing industry generated more than $1.8 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP).
Do you have positions just like these that need filling? Let Malone Solutions do the heavy lifting! With our skilled and knowledgeable talent pool, we can help you find solutions to all your workforce needs. Call our experienced workforce management team today.