The Economics and Statistics Administration recently released a new report, The Earnings of New Hires in Manufacturing, which considers the average wages and benefits of recently created manufacturing jobs.  Between 2007 and 2010, employment in manufacturing across the country took a significant hit.  However, since the first quarter of 2010, manufacturing employment has been on the rise again.  This report looks at whether the jobs created since 2010 have lived up to previous conceptions about manufacturing jobs being "good jobs."  It finds that new hires in manufacturing earn a premium of 38 percent over non-manufacturing jobs created over the same time. 

Click here to read ESA  report.

Analysis of U.S. Manufacturing Finds Significant Challenges for the Sector

A recently released report by the Brookings Institute, U.S. Manufacturing: Understanding Its Past and Its Potential Future, finds that while the growth of manufacturing output has remained at or above GDP over the last half century, despite a steep decline in manufacturing employment, that the high output measures are primarily due to one particular segment of the manufacturing sector: computers and electronics.  The 90 percent of manufacturing that is not in the computer and electronics industry has experienced significant declines in its share of GDP, with low productivity growth.  The report also considers the manufacturing sector's falling share of total U.S. employment and trade deficit, and concludes that there is a need for changes in public policy to support the manufacturing sector, including upping exports though trade agreements to open foreign markets, reducing the corporate tax rate, improving workforce skills, and fixing currently deteriorating infrastructure.

Click here to read Brookings Institute Analysis.

Joint Economic Committee Report: Manufacturing Jobs for the Future

Between 2010 and 2013, employment in manufacturing has increased by 554,000 jobs.  Even with the recent progress manufacturing employment still remains below 1979 levels, the sector needs to add 1.7 million jobs to return to pre-recession levels.  With a workforce aging faster than other segments of the economy means that the demand for new talent will be increasingly important.  This study examines the employment trends across manufacturing industries during the recession and recovery, as well as the growing role of exports.  It also describes policy options to address challenges facing the sector and lay groundwork for future gains.

Click here to read JEC report. 

      February is Career and Technical Education Month

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-third of the fastest growing occupations will require an associate's degree or a postsecondary vocational certificate. 

CTE encompasses 94 percent of high school students and 13 million postsecondary students in the United States.  A robust and successful plan that addresses the US skills gap must include CTE is a major part of the solution.  The increasing high school dropout rates can be stymied if parents and students were told the truth about CTE programs.

CTE students experience the connection between what they learn and what a future career demands.  CTE coursework requires an understanding of core academics applied in relevant; real-world applications that prepares students for the future regardless of their plans after high school, i.e. the workforce, military and or college (two or four year).  CTE programs ensure students are adequately prepared for high-wage, high-skill and high-demand careers.

Join MSSC in celebrating the extraordinary achievements and contributions of CTE educators and students.  

Click here to learn what your Governor said in his/her State of the State Address about CTE.

Bruce R. Dickson

CPT Instructor

Jefferson Community and Technical College   

Bruce Dickson brings over 30 years of experience during his management career, leading production and operational efforts in high-paced manufacturing environments. He has worked directly with Delphi Automotive, Inland Fisher Guide, General Motors, John Deere, General Electric, Honda and Toyota. Bruce has held progressively demanding, decision making positions as Director of Operations and Plant Manager for Hoffco/Comet Industries in Richmond, Indiana. Plant Manager, Superintendent and Quality Assurance Manager with Ernie Green Industries in Dayton, Ohio. Director of Transportation with Fram Automotive in Greenville, Ohio.

Over many years, Bruce has owned a number of different companies, including a Real Estate Investment Company in Muncie, Indiana, a Nursery and Landscape Design business in Louisville, Kentucky, a Catering and Food Service business in Monroe, Ohio and a Dog Walking business in Alexandria, Virginia.

Bruce attended Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio graduating with a dual major in Business Administration and Speech & Theatre. After retiring from the world of manufacturing in 2005, he attended Midwest Culinary Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio studying Culinary Arts. Bruce is a an MSSC Authorized CPT Trainer and is currently teaching the CPT curriculum at Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bruce has a strong background in corporate training initiatives with growth oriented companies and ands on experience in designing, developing and conducting internal and external audits. He has extensive knowledge in JIT, TQM, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, ISO 9001/2000/14001 and OSHA.

As a seasoned management professional, Bruce leverages passion, leadership skills and technical expertise to create real business value for organizations. He is an Eagle Scout, loves sports and resides in Clarksville, Indiana with his wife Debbie.

Jennifer Jones

CLT Instructor

Easter Seals TriState

After spending most of the nineties as an auto mechanic with Saturn and the Michel Tire Company, Jennifer left the automotive industry to take on a new challenge-working with people with disabilities and disadvantages at

Because many of the students are new to manufacturing and logistics, the classroom is a blend of online coursework, team activities on topics such as constructive criticism, workplace communication or completing a JSA, and textbook content on inventory control or production processes.  This system works well for the indiv

"I've taught everything from violin lessons, to papermaking, to how to milk a cow, and I think I've finally found my niche-- I love that we can give students paid, on-the-job training while they learn, and that our graduates can use the MSSC certifications to document that they have the skills and competencies employers are asking for.  To have a student who has struggled with poverty and low academics and connect them with a good job where they're earning more than I am-it's a great feeling."