Before you make a drastic career change, you want to make sure that you are making the right choice and be confident that your new opportunities will be plentiful for many years to come. Although manufacturing is a well known industry, it is constantly changing and innovating to keep up with the modern world. The current perception you have of manufacturing is likely outdated, let’s explore some of the plentiful opportunities and pathways you can pursue once you make the decision to make a change. 

The Past and Present of Manufacturing Work    

If you simply jump on MassHire and type in “manufacturing jobs” in Massachusetts, the search will yield hundreds of results. As an industry, manufacturing has been around for more than two centuries since the start of the industrial revolution. This dynamic industry, however, has remained anything but stagnant. 

As consumer and producer needs have evolved, so too have manufacturing jobs. There is a common discourse that manufacturing has been completely outsourced to other countries such as China or taken by robots. While it is true that many manufacturing and category jobs have been lost due to such phenomena, the high level of consumption and constant evolution of manufacturing as a process does mean that jobs remain plentiful. 

Due to the technical nature of manufacturing, it requires highly skilled workers. The training required to learn such skills is not a large time or financial commitment, especially through programs such as The Advanced Manufacturing Training and Expansion Program (AMTEP). In a matter of weeks and at little to no cost, individuals can be trained and placed into a new manufacturing position, making a comfortable living. There are many misconceptions about the industry, however, that render it a less popular career path thus causing understaffing in more recent years. Despite public perception, manufacturing remains a vital and important career that requires minimal schooling and can provide individuals with a secure and high-paying income. 

Types of Manufacturing Jobs

Manufacturing is an umbrella term, and as such there are many different areas of work that fall under this category of work. If you are wondering if some of your particular interests or skills align with a type of manufacturing work, keep reading as we explore the different training avenues available. 

 

  • Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) Machine Operator

Despite the discourse that says all robots have taken manufacturing jobs, they have, in many cases, just made them easier. Training as a CNC Machine Operator involves learning how to operate the machines which have the production movement pre-coded and programmed into them. In the past, people in a manufacturing line would have had to assemble items through meticulous and monotonous procedures.

 Today, these procedures are completed by the machines, and people have the much more interesting and rewarding task of operating and monitoring these machines. Individuals who complete the CNC Machine Operator training program will also get to learn blueprint reading, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, G-code, and earn a National Institute for MetalWorking Skills (NIMS) 

 

  • Welding

Welding is an essential skill in the industry of manufacturing. Those who enroll in our welding curriculum will learn Oxygen Acetylene Welding and Oxygen Fuel Cutting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Non Ferrous Metals, and Blueprint Reading and Metal Fabrication. Every course offered meets American Welding Society (AWS) Guidelines and results in AWS Certification and an OSHA 10 general industry card. 

 

  • Electronic Technician 

Electronic technicians are like the doctors of manufacturing – they are trained to diagnose and repair different types of electronic equipment. They also regularly check old models to make sure they are operating effectively and will install new technology into them to make sure they are up to date. Students who enroll in our electronic technician training will learn DC Theory and Lab, AC Theory and Lab. J-STD-001 Soldering and lab. 

 

  • Electro Mechanical Assembly 

An electro mechanical assembler is charged with the task of operating power and hand tools. A regular component of their job is testing equipment and manufacturing machines. Students who participate in our electro mechanical assembly course will get the opportunity to “learn how to use assembly hand tools, print reading, measuring, torquing, micrometers, oscilloscopes, wire harnesses and termination types crimping, pins, lugs, extractords, and connectors.” Students will also learn the basics of electrical theory and lab, including the conductance of current/electrons flow in an electric circuit, measurements of temperature, decibels, and electrostatistics. 

 

  • Quality Control Inspector 

Those who train to be quality control inspectors will be responsible for monitoring the condition and quality of the ingoing/outgoing products for manufacturing companies. They are a part of the team that assesses risk and responsibility, working to control and prevent unfortunate situations or malfunctions. Students who enroll in AMTEP’s quality control inspector training ‘will learn about metrology concepts, quality management system, compliance, data analysis, problem solving, continuous improvement and lean manufacturing.’ Once the training is completed, students will be eligible to sit for the American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification exam. 

 

  • Robotics 

Individuals who pursue robotics in manufacturing will have the task of designing and developing robotic prototypes. Essentially responsible for all processes relating to robotics, these people will construct, configure, test, and debug robotic systems. Those who enroll in our robotics training program will be ‘introduced to the concepts and technology used in manufacturing environments.’ Students will be immersed in both online modules and hands-on experiences to simulate real robotics processes, the concepts and skills gained will be relevant to every aspect of ‘running and troubleshooting automated equipment and industrial robots.’

Job Opportunities in Massachusetts 

If you navigate to our ‘job opportunities’ tab on our website, you will see that we currently have 395 jobs listed through Masshire JobQuest. These jobs are able to be filtered based on location, position, and company. With over 25 pages of open positions, there is no shortage of manufacturing opportunities in the North Shore area. 

Making the choice to switch career paths is never easy, however, there will never be change without action. AMTEP is dedicated to supporting students and making sure that they are fully prepared to enter the workforce, feel connected when searching for work, and feel secure in their industry. Manufacturing allows you the agency to improve your skill set, leverage your wages, and find success in an industry that will allow you to support your family and lifestyle for the rest of your career. 

Don’t waste another day working for a dead end job that doesn’t value your position as a skilled worker and necessary team player, visit our website and sign up for a program today.