Elevate Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing has evolved over the last several years. With the advancements and integration of new technologies, innovation has become a key component to the highly-technical processes contributing to the products made, right here in Iowa. A crucial element of this transformed industry is a highly skilled workforce that operates in a continuous improvement culture.
Advanced Manufacturers rely heavily on a workforce with the skills to drive this innovation and remain globally competitive. Iowa is host to more than 208,000 manufacturing jobs with strong Iowa companies that make quality parts and products.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis in 2011, the average manufacturing worker made $77,060 annually, including pay and benefits, while the average worker in other industries earned $60,168. Despite these lucrative, rewarding opportunities it has been identified that by 2018, there will be a shortage of 6,672 skilled workers in the advanced manufacturing sector.
Career opportunities are currently available for skilled professionals and plenty of training opportunities are available. Iowa's 15 Community Colleges are redesigning and developing industry-influenced curriculum, embedding industry credentials into educational pathways and purchasing state-of-the-art equipment to replicate the technology-rich work environment found in Iowa's manufacturing sector.
Iowa is proud to be on the cutting edge of this change and as the state continues to embrace the future of advanced manufacturing.
Information provided by State and Regional Employment Analyses including Iowa Workforce Development "Iowa Workforce & Economy 2013 Report".