Contact: Bill Rubin/Jacki Bradham, St. Croix EDC, 715-381-4383 or jacki@stcroixedc.com
The inaugural Manufacturing Day in the U.S. is scheduled for Friday, October 5, 2012. The day will highlight the growing importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy and the high-paying careers in this sector.
“Manufacturing is important to St. Croix County,” says St. Croix EDC’s executive director William Rubin. “Property taxes, sales taxes, payroll taxes, and corporate income taxes help pay many expenses at the local, state, and national levels.”
Manufacturing in the U.S. has a long history of innovation. The Manufacturing Day website (http://www.mfgday.com) reports that for every $1 of goods produced, manufacturing generates an additional $1.43 for the economy. Each manufacturing job creates at least 2.91 more jobs in other sectors. Almost two-thirds of all private research and development is attributable to manufacturers. Meanwhile, only 17 percent of Americans view manufacturing as a top career choice, but an estimated 77 percent fear the loss of manufacturing jobs to other nations.
One of the organizers of Manufacturing Day is the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FAM). FAM conducted a recent study entitled, “The Manufacturing Predicament” and estimates as many as 600,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs are available but are unfilled due to a gap in the job requirements and the skills in the workforce. FAM says the manufacturing sector is primed to rebound, but the skilled labor shortage is an obstacle.
How did this happen? FAM’s study outlines some reasons:
Manufacturing has an Image Problem: Today’s youth may perceive manufacturing jobs as low-tech that require neither skill nor problem-solving. In reality, today’s manufacturing is driven by computer programming and high-tech skills.
The U.S. is a Nation of ‘Non-Tinkerers’: The U.S. has moved toward a nation of “non-tinkerers”, meaning most adults avoid tackling major household repairs, opting instead to call for repairs. Tinkering used to lead in figuring out how things worked.
The Education System Falls Short: Manufacturing as a career choice may be counter to most education priorities. FAM points to many school districts that dropped vocational programs and shop classes as cost-cutting measures. As important, many high school students have never toured a modern manufacturing facility.
Manufacturers’ Role: Many manufacturers have not been proactive in addressing the skilled labor shortage. In-house training programs and internships have declined with the economic downturn.
FAM also offers some suggestions to address the challenge:
Increase Young People’s Interest in Manufacturing: Enlightened manufacturers are supporting summer camps to expose high schools to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Another initiative involves the introduction of welding skills, for both boys and girls. Manufacturing is cool and involves high-tech applications.
Partner with Educators: Support from educators is critical. Local companies may choose to donate used equipment to shops classes or technical colleges. Manufacturers can assist instructors and career counselors with planning the curriculum. Tours to companies should be encouraged.
Revive Apprenticeships and In-House Training: Manufacturers can reinvest in important programs like internships and apprenticeships that reach individuals already considering careers in manufacturing.
Foster a Positive Image: Manufacturers and technology companies can help change young people’s minds on careers, if the students are made aware of the options. Social media can play a role in delivering the message to the nation’s young students. Today’s manufacturing is not your grandfather’s manufacturing.
“Continued economic growth depends on renewed manufacturing growth,” said Rubin. “With Wisconsin’s new manufacturing production tax credit scheduled to phase-in over the next four years, the environment is ripe for manufacturers to grow and prosper. They’ll need a skilled workforce to make this happen.”
“Best Wishes to St. Croix County’s industries on Manufacturing Day 2012.”
