Manufacturing is growing and ever-evolving field. Thanks to advancements in technology, manufacturers are turning up the production rates and moving full-steam ahead. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing, you may be wondering if manufacturing school is worth it. Do you really need a college education to pursue a career in manufacturing today? Or will on-the-job training suffice? 

Manufacturing school teaches the skills needed to compete within the field. It is no longer enough to be able to run a machine. More and more manufacturing employers today require certification or a degree. Some of the advanced roles that require a bachelor’s degree, for example, include: 

• Inspection Supervisor 
• Quality Manager 
• Manufacturing Engineer 

A college degree is required for some manufacturing roles. And for all others, it is a serious advantage. Employers who don’t require a degree, per se, are still going to choose candidates who have college-level training over those who only have a high school diploma.  

Why? Going to a manufacturing and machining school—and completing a program in your field of work—will equip you with valuable skills. If you already have job-specific skills in-hand, your employer can spend less time training you up, and instead get you up and working fast. Not to mention, a college education can qualify you for more job opportunities and a higher salary. 

The future is bright for manufacturing majors. Across the country, manufacturing is experiencing a resurgence. And here in Connecticut, the manufacturing industry has grown to be one of the largest contributors to the state’s economy. In fact, the latest survey by the CBIA found that more than 4,000 manufacturing companies currently call the Nutmeg State home. An estimated 159,000 manufacturing employees call Connecticut home, too, and they rake in more than $95,000 a year! 

Manufacturing offers a bright career path for workers in the state of Connecticut. Aside from job security and a solid paycheck, workers can look ahead toward growth within the industry. As a manufacturing employee, you can look forward to getting involved in the future of manufacturing as we know it. You can literally dig your hands into the ever-changing industry, contribute to some ground-breaking methods and tools, and express your ideas and put your talents to good use. You can become a part of the latest industrial revolution! 

A growing industry means more employers are looking for highly skilled, educated workers who can step up to the plate. In Connecticut, for example, only about one-third of employers are looking to hire applicants with a technical high school degree. 42 percent of employers, meanwhile, are seeking candidates with postsecondary education under their belts, such as intensive training at the college-level and college certificate programs. 

A certificate or degree from a manufacturing school shows that you have prepared for, and are committed to, your career. You will have already learned the skills needed to succeed. With this education in hand, you’ll be prepared with technical manufacturing skills, such as CNC machining or geometric dimensioning, as well as “softer skills” such as: 

• Communication skills, to work with team members and clients from all backgrounds, as well as follow and deliver instructions. 
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, to identify when certain processes are not working well and how to fix them.  
• Analytical skills, to figure out how systems work and how working conditions, operations, and environment may affect the outcome of projects. 
• Math skills, to analyze, design, and troubleshoot your work. 
• Computer experience, to use CAD/CAM technology, CNC machine tools, and computerized measuring machines. 
• Manual dexterity, for hands-on production and accuracy. 

While on-the-job training is valuable, it does not always teach you how to think critically, analyze situations, and collaborate/strategize with your colleagues. Manufacturing school does. 

The skills taught in a manufacturing school will also give you the edge when it comes to the technical advancements within the field. Thanks to the push for “lean and green” manufacturing methods and the “made in America” stamp of approval, many manufacturers are looking for means of cutting costs and churning out products with a lower carbon footprint. These innovative procedures are taught in manufacturing programs that stay up-to-date and help students learn with state-of-the-art technology. 

Now is a great time to start a postsecondary manufacturing program. Manufacturers are going to need more employees, as the pandemic lifts restrictions and more products are needed to support a rebounding economy. And with your education and training in hand, you’ll be able to edge out the competition and climb your way up the manufacturing ladder. 

The manufacturing school at Goodwin University maintains close, working relationships with some of the top manufacturers in the state of Connecticut. Combined with our Career Services Team, job opportunities for manufacturing graduates are well within reach. Our internship offerings are designed to give students experience (and a leg up!) in the field before graduation. 

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in manufacturing, don’t wait to get started. Contact Goodwin College at 800-889-3282 to learn why we’re a leader in manufacturing education in Connecticut. Or, visit us online to request more information about our manufacturing training programs.