When it comes to choosing a career path, traditionally manufacturing has had a bad rap. Previous generations thought of it as a tough industry, with poor working conditions and little job growth. While this may have been the case 50 or even 20 years ago - today it isn’t anything like it used to be.
If you think manufacturing is a low-skilled, low-paid industry, it’s time to think again.
Here are 7 reasons to consider a career in manufacturing:
1. It’s a thriving industry
With our growing population, it’s no surprise that the manufacturing sector has boomed.
Not only did it thrive during the pandemic, but it played a critical role in supporting our nation’s crisis response to COVID-19. Plus, the industry supplied thousands of jobs to Australians during a time of uncertainty.
Australia’s manufacturing industry is widespread, offering approximately 862,200 jobs nationwide. With so many companies looking to hire new workers, now is an ideal time to land a job in this booming industry with great job security.
2. Manufacturing has evolved
As technology has rapidly evolved in recent years, so has manufacturing. Work that previously required strenuous, manual labour, has now become advanced, streamlined and automated.
Gone are the days of dirty, loud factories. Today you can expect to see state-of-the-art equipment in well organised facilities. It’s a high-precision field that needs high-tech and highly skilled workers to match.
3. Access to good pay and benefits
As candidates are in high demand, employers are offering higher wages and better benefits to manufacturing workers. Bottom line - there’s a lot of money to be made in manufacturing.
A lot of these jobs are entry-level positions, meaning no formal qualifications or experience is needed. Once you get your foot in the door, you’ll be provided with on-the-job training, so you’re confident to perform your daily duties. You’ll get paid to learn new skills, while avoiding thousands of dollars in student debt.
4. Learning opportunities
Throughout your career in manufacturing, you’ll have the opportunity to learn many valuable and transferable skills, such as time-management, teamwork, and problem-solving.
If you have a passion for gadgets and using the latest technologies, this could be the perfect career for you. Robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and blockchain are just a few examples of these. It’s a fascinating career choice with so much to learn.
5. Stay active
A desk job certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, some people probably couldn’t think of anything worse.
Manufacturing offers an avenue to stay active while at work. This not only helps with keeping you fit but can help the days from feeling boring. It’s a fast-paced and stimulating career choice.
6. Job growth
Manufacturing isn’t just another job, it’s a career with great potential. At Labour Solutions Australia, we offer diverse manufacturing careers - so there’s something to suit everyone. Here are some examples of the types of manufacturing jobs we find for our candidates:
Assembly Line Worker
Forklift Operator
Inventory Controller
Machine Operator
Plant Operator
Production Team Member
Factory Hand
Maintenance Technician
Process Worker
Shift Supervisor
Team Leader
Trades and Technical Staff.
And, it doesn’t have to stop there. There are a number of different career paths you can access through manufacturing, including:
Sales
Buying/ Procurement
Business Operations
Management
Marketing
Computer Programming.
7. See the results of your hard work
Manufacturing is an extremely rewarding career. You can see the results of your hard work through making real, tangible products.
There’s something very fulfilling about being able to produce something and say, “I made that”. You can see the value you’re adding to the economy, as well as to people’s lives.
Manufacturing offers an exciting and successful future for so many individuals. Whether you’re a high-school graduate entering the workforce, or an experienced worker looking to change your path, now is the perfect time to kick-start your career in manufacturing.