Employment Outlook
Today’s transformed, hi-tech, global manufacturing environment is generating challenging new employment opportunities, and the changes are proceeding very rapidly. High-performing, cross-functional employees with the ability to implement new process and productivity enhancements are now in great demand as traditional vertical structures give way to collaboration, and in view of the fact that innovation is the primary competitive advantage for U.S. manufacturers.
There are over 8,000 manufacturing companies in Minnesota, accounting for 13% of our jobs. Though many traditional production jobs are disappearing, new opportunities for high-performing employees are continuously being generated. For example, wage and salary employment in electronic equipment manufacturing is projected to grow about 7% per year through 2010 as technological and entrepreneurial advancements continue in semiconductors, telecommunications, and ever more powerful computer chips. Furthermore, vacancies in all sectors are expected to rise sharply beginning in 2008 as baby boomers begin to retire. It is estimated that 85% of all these emerging manufacturing jobs in Minnesota will require some form of advanced instruction, with 20% requiring a bachelor’s degree. (Data from www.deed.state.mn.us)
Working environments are comfortable, and the jobs are increasingly complex and interesting. Those with sufficient qualifications, such as those provided by the Manufacturing Technology program, can generally move into positions of greater responsibility such as team leader, purchasing manager, production supervisor, materials manager, lead technician, project leader, order process analyst, and business analyst. They can then expect to continue along a fulfilling lifelong career path.
