Aerotek found that manufacturing jobs in the fastest-growing industries have shown employment growth in 2015-2016:

— Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment: 7 percent

— Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge): 5 percent

— Perishable Prepared Food: 4 percent

— Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting: 3 percent

— Commercial Screen Printing: 3 percent

— Wood Container and Pallet: 3 percent

— Truck Trailer: 3 percent

— Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim: 2 percent

— Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly): 2 percent

— Farm Machinery and Equipment: 2 percent

Top States for Manufacturing Employment

1. California

2. Texas

3. Indiana

4. Michigan

5. Iowa

According to Sara Staggs, director of divisional operations for Aerotek’s Commercial Division, the industry softening is in response to market forces including the global economic downturn outside the U.S., a strong dollar and increasing competition from companies abroad.

“Despite the slower growth, finding talent is still one of the greatest challenges for manufacturing today,” said Staggs. “Machinists, production workers and assemblers are among the top occupations in demand, while workers with skilled trade backgrounds such as welding and machining are also in high demand.”

Open Positions in Skillsets with the Highest Demand

General Production Worker: 43,100

Light Industrial Assembler: 19,648

Machine Operator: 6,050

Maintenance Tech/Mechanics: 5,465

Welder: 3,818

This talent need is driven primarily by the rate of retirement and the reduction in supply of new workers entering the industry. Approximately 2.7 million workers will retire from the manufacturing industry in the next decade or so, according to a 2015 report by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, and they’re not easily replaced.

Investing in the Future

The manufacturing industry has continued to evolve – relying more heavily on the operation, maintenance and programming of high tech machines – and shifting away from the outdated stigma of the manufacturing industry is critical in attracting talent. Millennials, who are well accustomed to using high tech devices, have great potential to embrace the increasingly sophisticated world of skilled trades.

Many organizations and states are taking actions to change the stigma and ensure the next generation of manufacturing is equipped with the necessary skills and training, and many companies and recruiting firms have started to form partnerships with schools to boost the pipeline of talent entering the manufacturing industry.

Aerotek currently participates in programs in a number of states, including a hands-on training program in San Diego to help give candidates the proper training and apprenticeships needed to explore a prepare for a career in modern manufacturing.

“Reaching out to millennials in a targeted approach can help change misperceptions that keep them from entering the skilled trade workforce,” said Staggs. “We’re actively working to update manufacturing’s image by partnering with trade and vocational schools to highlight the impressive career opportunities in manufacturing.”

To find out more information on National Manufacturing Day, visit the official website at www.mfgday.org, or join the conversation with the hashtag #mfgday16. To read more from Aerotek on the state of the manufacturing industry, check out the Business Insights page on Aerotek.com.