Think you know about manufacturing, especially manufacturing in Pennsylvania? Take the short quiz below to find out.
Truth or Myth?
Myth
Manufacturing in the 21st century is not the stereotypical factory scenario pictured by older generations. Advanced manufacturing jobs of today are sophisticated and offer salaried opportunities.
Myth
There are 36,500 manufacturing jobs in the Lehigh Valley area of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. As a matter of fact, manufacturing companies in the region cannot find enough workers with the right skills to fill all of the available jobs. Companies may look elsewhere, however, if the region’s manufacturing workforce pipeline is not strengthened and expanded.
Truth
The development of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills early in a student’s education is important for both manufacturing careers and many careers outside of manufacturing. The American STEM workforce is expected to grow to an estimated 8.65 million workers in the coming years while only four percent of U.S. college graduates major in a STEM discipline. Pennsylvania has the seventh highest need for STEM professionals in the nation with an estimated 314,000 projected jobs by the year 2018.
Myth
While there are many well-paying opportunities for people seeking jobs with certain certifications, a majority of lucrative manufacturing jobs require completion of college-level courses, advanced math skills, and advanced degrees. As 21st century manufacturing calls for highly technical solutions to complex problems, individuals with these skills tend to be the most successful. Moreover, many manufacturing companies support their employees attainment of their education.
Myth
Advancements in automation, industry operational changes, and oversight of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide an environment in which a majority of manufacturing employees are not exposed routinely to dangerous conditions.
Myth
Many manufacturing jobs are among the highest paid jobs in Pennsylvania and around the world. The average manufacturing employee salary in Pennsylvania is more than $68,000 a year, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Many manufacturing jobs also provide employees money for college education.
Truth
Most stereotypical “dirty factory” jobs are obsolete. However, the United States continues to produce 19.4 percent of the world’s manufactured goods as of 2011, a rate second only to the rate in China. Manufacturing jobs are indeed alive and well in Pennsylvania and the greater Lehigh Valley region.
Myth
Manufacturing careers offer numerous paths to management opportunities.
Myth
Advanced manufacturing jobs offer complex 21st century challenges, solve important problems, and make a sustainable difference in people’s lives. Men and women who have these jobs certainly are not settling in their employment.
Truth
Women benefit greatly from being in a nontraditional field, such as manufacturing. Research shows that nontraditional career paths provide unique opportunities for women to find a satisfying career. Women comprise more than 58 percent of the American workforce. However, only 13.6 percent of mechanical engineers are women.
We hope these quiz answers give you an understanding on what is a truth and what is a myth about manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Find out more by checking out What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® student videos.
