In-demand jobs attainable for all in today’s manufacturing industry: Jessica Borza

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As we prepare to celebrate Ohio’s “In-Demand Jobs Week” from May 6-10, it provides an opportunity to paint a more accurate picture of what manufacturing in Ohio looks like today. Some people still hold outdated perceptions of the manufacturing sector, and most young people have no sense of the opportunities it presents in Ohio.

Today’s manufacturing sector offers careers with significant growth potential and competitive wages that support families. This evolution is thanks to investments in technology that make Ohio manufacturing not just globally competitive, but safer and more efficient.

In 2022, the average annual earnings for Ohio workers in manufacturing roles exceeded $70,000. By November 2023, the average hourly wage rose to $31.38, with starting wages often surpassing $20 and offering quick increases for dedicated employees. This economic promise makes manufacturing a reliable gateway to the middle class.

Manufacturing today has shifted toward cognitive skills, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, genders, and cultures. With opportunities in sectors like electric vehicles, industrial products, semiconductors, and aerospace, Ohio’s manufacturing landscape is not just growing but evolving.

The sector’s inclusivity is evident in its array of entry points for job seekers. Whether through high school, career and technical education, apprenticeships, or advanced degrees, the focus remains on the individual’s skills and willingness to learn. This flexibility ensures that manufacturing is accessible to everyone, including traditionally underrepresented talent populations in the manufacturing workforce such as women, justice-impacted individuals, people of color, and veterans.

Gen Z is already recognizing this, with the Wall Street Journal recently reporting that enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% last year, the highest level since this data have been tracked. Gen Z is smart to recognize that, often, college is too expensive, and that four-year degrees are not always the pathway to economic success.

The potential for career advancement, higher-than-average salaries, and the unique and vast range of career paths draw more of our younger generation into manufacturing. From entry-level roles to advanced engineering positions, a career in manufacturing can start at any point and lead in many directions.

To further align our educational systems with industry needs, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and Ohio TechNet, recently commissioned a study mapping Ohio’s manufacturing education and training needs for the future. This has led to the development of the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, which has revealed that more than 80% of foundational skills in manufacturing are uniform across the sector, with only 20% being industry-specific.

This means that learning core manufacturing competencies can open multiple career paths, providing Ohioans with sustainable, growth-oriented job opportunities. Aligning Ohio’s workforce ecosystem with industry needs will reveal the advantages that drive job growth and investment across our great state.

Let’s work together to continue redefining this vital sector and ensure it remains a powerful engine for economic growth and opportunity in Ohio. Visit www.OhioMFG.com to learn more about the OMA’s priorities in workforce development and visit http://www.MakingOhio.com to learn more about Ohio-specific manufacturing career pathways.

Jessica Borza is the managing director of workforce services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, representing approximately 1,300 manufacturers statewide. Previously, Borza served as the executive director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC) Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) since its inception in 2011. She earned her MBA from Kent State University and resides in Lisbon, Ohio, with her husband, where they own the 108-year-old Pondi’s Restaurant and Bar.

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