Local employers say career seekers would be wise to consider the many opportunities emerging in one of Pennsylvania’s most economically important and viable industries: manufacturing.
“I think it’s really important for today’s youth to be aware of the huge career opportunities in manufacturing and that these are careers you can take pride in,” said Anna Barensfeld, vice president, strategic initiatives, ELLWOOD, which has operations in Ellwood City, New Castle and elsewhere throughout Pennsylvania and Western Ohio.
Dave Douglass, operations manager at LMMC founding member Hall Industries in Ellwood City, Pa., adds you don’t need a four-year degree – nor a degree at all – to start working toward a rewarding career in the industry.
“Manufacturing is an opportunistic career path offering high paying jobs, great benefits, advancement opportunities, and all with the possibility of no college debt.”
Data from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor and Industry (2022) showed the average annual wages for manufacturing workers in Lawrence and Mercer counties exceeded $66,000 plus benefits and was trending upward.
ELLWOOD and Hall Industries are among the founding members of Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Association, a relatively new sector partnership focused solely on workforce development in the manufacturing industry. Among its early priorities is addressing the next generation’s apathy toward manufacturing careers.
“Outreach to parents, administrators, teachers, guidance counselors and mentors is the key. These aren’t just jobs we’re offering, they’re family-sustaining careers,” said Chris Becker, president of G.W. Becker Inc. of Hermitage, Pa., another LMMC founding member. “There are a lot of great opportunities in our region in manufacturing.”
From High School to High Paying Job
Douglass himself started his career right out of high school after graduating from a career and technical center in Ohio, and he’s one of many career development success stories at Hall Industries.
“We have several examples of individuals starting as laborers, then moving up the ladder to machine operators, setup operators, programmers, supervisors and even managers.”
The high demand for new manufacturing jobs stems from a combination of industry growth and pending retirements of a large swath of the current workforce.
Joe Miller, plant manager at LMMC founding member Berner International in New Castle, Pa., said one way he hopes to be able to address future workforce needs is by retaining the talent we already have in our region.
“Many area residents are not even aware of the fine, diverse types of manufacturing going on in our own counties,” he said. “There is no need for lengthy commutes to Pittsburgh or other cities for a long, fruitful, family-supporting career right in our backyard.”
Pennsylvania’s Persistent Need for Manufacturing
At a state level, Pennsylvania’s manufacturing annual economic impact exceeds $113.3 billion and accounts for nearly 10 percent of all jobs. That’s more than half a million residents employed in the industry. And it’s not slowing down.
“We have a long and rich history of manufacturing in Western Pennsylvania,” Barensfeld said. “But most importantly, manufacturing in our region has a bright future, and I’m excited for our local workforce to be a part of it.”
The local and state trends are also echoed throughout the country, particularly in light of a national movement toward reshoring. The National Association of Manufacturers and Deloitte report the U.S. manufacturing industry may need to fill nearly 3.8 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade.
“Industry makes things right here in Western Pennsylvania that each one of us uses directly or indirectly every day,” Barensfeld said. “And we will make more and more because U.S. manufacturing is growing as more consumers and companies realize the fragility of the global supply chain.”
Where to Begin
LMMC encourages parents of school-aged youth to talk to their children’s schools about connecting with local manufacturers for career presentations, plant tours and job shadowing opportunities.
Manufacturers can connect with LMMC to plug into youth outreach programming and membership opportunities.
