Talent

US Manufacturing Sector Loses 15,000 Jobs in August

Sept. 7, 2012

While the sector has gained 613,000 manufacturing jobs in the past two years, and now stand at 11,9670,000 employment, when looking back to 2002, the U.S. is still down by 3.5 million manufacturing jobs.

Adrienne Selko

In the labor report released on Friday, the manufacturing sector lost 15,000 jobs.

A decline in motor vehiclesand parts (-8,000) partially offset a gain in July, the Labor Department said.

Auto manufacturers laid off fewer workers for factory retooling than usual in July, and fewer workers than usual were recalled in August.

Looking over the past year years the sector has gained 512,000 manufacturing jobs and now stands at 11,9670,000 employment.

However compared to 2002, which saw its highest level of employment at 15, 475,000, employment is down by 3.5 million manufacturing jobs.

Commenting on the overall condition of manufacturing employment, Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) praised President Obama for outlining a goal of creating 1 million new manufacturing jobs by 2016.

"I’m glad the President believes in manufacturing, but this jobs report shows just how much work must be done to create those jobs," Scott said. "We are headed in the wrong direction, at least temporarily, after 31 pretty good months for manufacturing.

"We look forward to hearing exactly what Mitt Romney and President Obama propose to do to strengthen manufacturing in the weeks ahead. And, we call on Congress to pass legislation to deter China’s currency manipulation, which has contributed to the loss of nearly 3 million American jobs over the past decade."

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.