In summary:
- 40 percent of manufacturing workers reportedly now possess a college degree, compared to 20 percent in the early 1990s.
- According to the Wall Street Journal, within three years there will be more manufacturing workers with college degrees than without.
- A recent report on job openings by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) identified nearly a half-million available jobs in the industry.
- That said, NAM stressed that “the most job openings have tended to be highly technical in nature.”
- While these jobs are likely to yield increased salaries, “workers will need specialized skills training and credentials to be qualified for many of the jobs that are out there.”