Connect to Ohio’s most In-Demand Jobs
Across Ohio, May 1-5 is In-Demand Jobs Week - the statewide celebration of the top jobs, industries, and skills in Ohio. This year, In-Demand Jobs Week will highlight Ohio’s top jobs that stem from career tech center educations, and the different paths Ohioans can take to land a successful career.
Ohio’s talent shortage poses an ongoing challenge to the growth of the Buckeye State’s largest industry: manufacturing. According to Ohio Means Jobs, there are more than 20,000 open positions statewide at manufacturing businesses. Meanwhile, the ability to recruit and retain workers consistently ranks among manufacturers’ top concerns.
Even in a manufacturing state like Ohio, many young people and career switchers are often unaware of opportunities that exist in modern manufacturing. Even worse, decades-old misconceptions prevent many young people – as well as their parents and career counselors – from investigating manufacturing’s multitude of career options.
Here are the key messages I share with young people who take time to explore manufacturing as a possible career:
U.S. manufacturing is thriving. In Ohio – the nation’s third largest manufacturing state – manufacturing’s economic output recently set a new annual record of $130 billion. And a new report finds that in 2022, reshoring and foreign direct investments created more than 360,000 U.S. jobs – a 53% increase from the 2021 record.
Manufacturing is an essential industry - you will always have a career!
Manufacturing pays well. The average annual earnings of Ohio workers on manufacturing payrolls in 2021 were $67,000. The average hourly earnings of Ohio manufacturing employees were $30.92 as of October 2022.
Manufacturing careers can help young Ohioans avoid student debt altogether, offering above-average wages and salaries compared to other industries.
Manufacturing jobs lead to career growth. Many manufacturers value promoting from within. Many team members can start with no skills in the trades and come to hold positions as certified welders, laser operators, and other skilled leaders.
Manufacturing is high tech. From 3-D printing to machining to next-gen robotics, there isn’t a more exciting industry than manufacturing. All of the machines in most shops are operated by computers. The machine operators must be as much computer programmers as they are technicians and employees can work alongside robots.
Ohioans of any age who want to help our state and nation make history can explore manufacturing careers at MakingOhio.com.
Find an In-Demand Jobs Week Event near you! https://topjobs.ohio.gov/week
Start your profile today to start your manufacturing career on BlockTrain today! app.blocktrainapp.com
