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Advanced Manufacturing Technicians

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has projected a 3 percent increase in job opportunities from 2022 to 2032 for industrial engineering technicians, which includes advanced manufacturing technicians. Electromechanical technicians operate, test, and maintain unmanned and automated robotic and electromechanical equipment. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many of these technicians work in manufacturing. The DOL says that “industries in which new jobs are expected for these workers include machinery manufacturing; motor vehicle parts manufacturing; and navigational, measuring, electro-medical, and control instruments manufacturing.”

Demand will be strong for technicians in advanced manufacturing. 3–D printing is a good example of an advanced manufacturing sector that is experiencing strong growth. A.T. Kearney says that “3–D printing could bring millions of manufacturing jobs back to U.S. shores and set off a fresh wave of economic growth across several industrial sectors.” The consulting firm says that many of these jobs require highly skilled workers and that most jobs will be created in three areas: operations (technicians, operators, and precision machinists), engineering (engineers, especially those with design skills), and logistics (although this will be the slowest-growing area of the three).

Technicians with experience, certification, and expertise in advanced manufacturing tools and processes will have the best job prospects.

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