Making the case for manufacturing
August 24, 2017
In a recent report from The Century Foundation, assumptions about the value of a renewed commitment to manufacturing are examined and its importance to the nation’s economic future are reviewed. In Why Manufacturing Jobs Are Worth Saving, the authors review the current status of manufacturing activity, dive into regional data on the role of manufacturing in the economic recovery of communities, and take a look at the quality of the jobs and workforce challenges facing the industry. Key findings include:
- economic recovery and reshoring of manufacturing jobs is indeed possible;
- manufacturing jobs continue to provide above-average wages, especially for skilled positions that require training but not a college degree; and,
- the manufacturing sector must address major workforce challenges if it is to experience a revival.