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Expertise in workforce development grows from a deep knowledge of the needs, strengths, and challenges not only of job seekers but of employers as well. At National Able Network, we cultivate a wealth of expertise on the employers of each sector we serve. I’d like to highlight just a bit of what we know about the sectors in which our employer partners work and grow. We’ve covered retail, IT, and transportation already, and today we’ll focus on a sector that’s been central to America’s economy and self-image for more than two centuries: manufacturing.

America has been one of the world’s powerhouse manufacturers nearly since our 1776 founding. From Eli Whitney’s cotton gin and mass-produced muskets to Henry Ford’s assembly line to Intel’s microprocessors, American manufacturing businesses have changed the world again and again. And through much of the 20^th century, manufacturing employment was the backbone of the American economy at a scale not seen before or since: in 1979, the peak of the manufacturing industry’s size, the sector employed more than 21 percent of all American workers[1]. By contrast, last year the sector employed only 8.6 percent of all workers. Now, the sector provides our economy essential structure in a much different way, through plants that are highly productive, full of advanced technology, and known for lean design and absolute guarantees of quality in virtually every piece leaving a given facility[2].

Manufacturing’s modern focus shows up in the sector’s employment needs and career opportunities. Though total employment in the industry is projected to decline slightly over the next decade as even more technology and automation is developed, occupations like machinists, responsible for maintaining and operating the machines used in advanced manufacturing, are projected to grow along with the broader economy. Industrial mechanic careers are expected to grow much faster, for similar reasons.

At National Able Network, we bridge gaps in the manufacturing industry and help job seekers to start these rewarding career paths through our best-in-class workforce services. Through our services and network of partners, we make careers happen by helping job seekers prepare for careers targeted to the actual needs of employers. If you’re interested in learning more about National Able Network’s programs, click here or call 855-994-8300 today!