If you’re interested in joining Massachusetts’ thriving manufacturing industry, there are a few things you should consider before making your career transition. After all, it’s not quite as easy as slapping together a resume and submitting it to employers. You should carefully consider the dos and don’ts of transitioning your career into manufacturing.
Don’t: Believe the Myths
There are a lot of manufacturing myths out there. Such myths give people looking into the industry for the first time the wrong impression, or were only true back during the Industrial Revolution.
Some persistent myths are that manufacturing is for the unskilled or leads to dead-end jobs. However, both of these myths have been thoroughly debunked. Manufacturing is a great career choice with many paths for advancement. That’s because it is an industry that requires skills and training. NAMC and AMTEP provide this training to interested workers free of charge, and we work with manufacturers to ensure the skills you’re learning are ones that employers genuinely need and are looking for.
Do: Research Your Career Path
There are many career paths within the manufacturing industry. You could get into robotics, or quality control, or welding and have a long-lasting and fulfilling career. But you shouldn’t just pick one at random and hope for the best, instead research the different career pathways and training programs that we offer. Then, choose the best one for you based on your interests, skillset, and where you want to be in the future.
Don’t: Take Out Student Loans
While manufacturing isn’t for the unskilled or uneducated, it’s also not a career that requires a college degree to get in the door. With AMTEP’s training program, those with a high school degree or GED can sign up for the courses and learn what they need to start at an entry-level position for their chosen field.
The training programs you can sign up for are also no-cost to you, as they’re funded by our generous manufacturing partners who benefit from receiving a skilled workforce. This means you can skip the student loans required to get a college degree. While some higher-level positions on the career path could require one, your employer might be willing to pay for you to attend classes due to your work ethic and prior training.
Do: Be Ready to Learn and Grow
The manufacturing industry is a place where many thrive due to the hands-on work, advancement opportunities, and satisfaction that comes from knowing your work is the foundation much of the country is built on. So long as you’re ready to learn and grow, both in your training program and as you continue your career, you’re sure to climb up the ladder and establish yourself as an employee deserving of promotions and pay increases.
The manufacturing industry is a fantastic place to transition your career to. Don’t let yourself be stuck in a job you’re not happy with. Instead, research manufacturing career paths and join the AMTEP program where you can thrive.