In a world that seems to be increasingly dominated by digital and “smart” technologies, it may come as a surprise that the manufacturing is still providing solid career opportunities for today’s workforce.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys taking an idea from paper to reality, manufacturing may be the industry in which you’ll be able to build a satisfying future. However, ensuring that you remain relevant in an industry that’s going through lots of changes as it adapts to digital technologies, will require that you take advantage of professional development opportunities. Here at Glendale Community College, we believe manufacturing is important to the economy and the national workforce. That’s why we’ve made development opportunities for the manufacturing industry a foundation of our course offerings.
Keep reading to learn more about career opportunities in the manufacturing industry as well as how the PDC at Glendale Community College can facilitate development of the skills you’ll need to succeed.
An Industry In Recovery
Though it may not be the forefront of our economy as it was in decades past, manufacturing still boasts the most jobs of any goods-producing industry in the United States, more than 12 million of them in 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The manufacturing industry began adding jobs in 2010, as the economy began recovering from the effects of the recession. But the nature of some of these jobs has changed, with fewer jobs on an assembly line and more jobs running computers or machines,” the BLS continues.
Skilled Workers Needed!
What does this shift in manufacturing focus mean for the workforce? In order to be eligible for positions created by new manufacturing companies, workers must have computer skills and advanced machining knowledge. Without proficiency in the software programs that manage today’s manufacturing equipment, a worker in this industry will quickly find themselves obsolete, no matter what their area of specialty.
What Type Of Workers Are Manufacturing Companies Are Looking For?
Speaking of specialties, it’s important to remember that working in manufacturing doesn’t necessarily mean working on a line or operating a machine all day. Occupations in the industry include:
- Technology, engineering, and mathematics professionals
- Production workers
- Installation, maintenance, and repair workers
- Industrial machinery mechanics
- Computer-controlled machine tool operators
- Logisticians
- Biomedical engineers
- Transportation and material moving workers
- Management and financial operations workers
- Sales professionals
- Office and administrative support workers
Glendale Community College Has Manufacturing Development Opportunities
Want to launch or advance your career in manufacturing? The Professional Development Center at Glendale Community College is here to help. We offer a wide variety of courses that can help a new manufacturing professional become eligible for the best positions, as well as helping industry veterans remain relevant in a field that’s changing rapidly.
Some of these courses include:
- CAD/CAM Advanced Shop Applications
- CNC Lathe And Mill Set-Up Application
- Geometric Dimensioning And Tolerancing
- Inspection Techniques
- Shop Math And Blueprint Reading
Please don’t hesitate to contact the PDC with any questions you may have about these courses, or how they can be customized to meet the needs of employees at a certain company. We’re always happy to help people take advantage of our professional development programs in order to build a more satisfied and stable workforce. Enroll today!