It’s easy to tell someone who’s looking to begin a new career “try manufacturing!” After all, it’s a lucrative industry with accessible entry-level jobs, good benefits, and the opportunity to advance in your career. But if you live in Massachusetts, you might be concerned about whether the industry is big in your state. After all, you don’t want to get into a field that doesn’t have a high demand.
Luckily for you, the manufacturing industry is, indeed, big in Massachusetts, and it needs your help to stay that way.
The Data
Manufacturers account for 9.72% of Massachusetts’ total output, and employ 6.71% of the workforce. In 2021, the total output for manufacturing in the state was $56.14 billion, and there was an average of 240,000 manufacturing employees.
There is also projected to be a high demand for new laborers in the manufacturing industry as baby boomers retire. This leaves openings for those already employed to earn promotions and those new to the workforce a chance to get in the door.
Why Is Manufacturing Big in Massachusetts?
For starters, the manufacturing industry is important to the United States economy and infrastructure as a whole. Without manufacturing, we wouldn’t have computers, cars, buildings, desks, or really most of the technology and essentials we use in our daily lives.
As for Massachusetts specifically, the manufacturing industry has been present since the Industrial Revolution. In Lowell, MA the textile mills thrived during the 1800s, being a leading industry for the country. They were even ahead of the curve in challenging stereotypes, as women made up two-thirds of the workforce.
While the textile mills are now a thing of the past, innovation in Massachusetts kept the manufacturing industry thriving. For example, MIT contributed to the development of early CNC machines back in the 1950s and 3D printers in the 1990s. Recognizing the value of the industry, they continue to help manufacturers in the development of new technologies.
How Can You Get Into Manufacturing?
The easiest way to get into the manufacturing industry is to sign up for a training program through AMTEP. This free training is set up through the Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, various community colleges, and vocational schools. The purpose is to keep the Massachusetts manufacturing industry thriving. We give job seekers the skills to begin a career in manufacturing and employers a pool of skilled candidates for their workforce.
It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. You get the training for a long-term career and an in with various potential employers. The employers get a trained workforce and prevent a labor shortage. And Massachusetts benefits in that its economy continues to thrive and grow.
If you’re interested in getting into the manufacturing industry, Massachusetts is the state to be in. From the job opportunities to the training programs, you’ll find a career that will allow you to be successful and feel proud of the important contribution you’re making to the country’s economy.