Manufacturing

Sector Analysis

MFG Sector Overview

Key takeaways from the landscape analysis for the manufacturing sector in the Chicagoland area:

Good middle-skills roles in this space are primarily focused on CNC machining and production processes. Many are interconnected and stackable, whereby individuals can start with lower-wage roles and move up with increased job training or additional industry or college credentials.
Some roles are lagging in the living wage or growth category but have skills that could reasonably be useful in attaining higher wage roles within the same industry. For example, welders could be assisted to enter CNC and Machining occupations.
Apprenticeships are up and coming but still lack scale in this region.

Overview of Private Training Landscape

Based on Chicagoland CareerPathways, the private training landscape features:

Very few providers in this space (reasonable given equipment requirements).
WIOA providers leading to internships or pre-apprenticeship opportunities, but conversion to credit programs unclear or missing high-value industry credentials (i.e. beyond intro safety credentials) as a part of the experience.

Recommended Improvement Strategies for MFG

Based on the landscape analysis, the EdSystems team proposes the following strategies to both prepare residents for living wage roles in the manufacturing sector and meet labor market demands:

Focus on alignment of CTE and dual credit pathways, as well as nonprofit training providers and bridge programs, to the core basic certificate model at CCC + Foundational Industry Credentials. Crosswalk new NC3 certifications used in the new Daley College model with common AWS, MSCC and NIMS credentials.
Ensure clear articulation from NIMS/AWS/MSSC into CCC courses and programs.
Focus continued career pathway supports to move entry-level Machinists and Operators into Maintenance Workers and Industrial Machinery Mechanics.

MFG Priority Occupation and Promising Credential Areas

MIDDLE-SKILL CREDENTIAL AREA	OCCUPATIONS	TYPICAL ENTRY EDUCATION	CHICAGOLAND WAGE $/HR	CHICAGOLAND PROJECTED GROWTH (10 YR.)	ANNUAL CHICAGOLAND JOB OPENINGS
Manufacturing Technology	Welders, Cutters, Welder Fitters	High School + On-the-Job Training	$20.77	5.7%	518
	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	Postsecondary Certificate	$36.89	7%	550
	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	Postsecondary Certificate	$31.23	5%	877
Precision Machining & Production	Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operations, Metal and Plastic	High School + On-the-Job Training	$17.79	5.2%	150
	Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic	Postsecondary Certificate	$25.47	17.4%	53
	Machinists	High School + On-the-Job Training	$20.65	5%	1,214
	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	High School + On-the-Job Training	$17.94	5%	331
	Tool and Die Makers	Postsecondary Certificate	$26.15	-2.6%	146
Factory Automation	Maintenance Workers Machinery	High School + On-the-Job Training	$26.81	9.4%	199
Factory Automation	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	High School + On-the-Job Training	$26.90	11.2%	421
CAD Technology	Mechanical Drafters	Associate	$28.54	5.6%	143
CAD Technology	Architectural and Civil Drafters	Associate	$31.86	3.3%	115