American manufacturers need workers. For years, they’ve struggled to fill open positions and, while some of their efforts have led to improved recruitment, there are still hundreds of thousands of open positions across the country.
Thanks to the work of manufacturers and educators over the last decade, however, more students than ever are open to considering a career in manufacturing. The stigma of low pay and poor working conditions is slowly being replaced with an understanding of how clean advanced manufacturing facilities offer a wide variety of challenging, well-paying jobs that can turn into long satisfying careers.
In addition to stoking interest in manufacturing careers, today’s career and technical education (CTE) educators must also prepare students to succeed in those careers. Students interested in manufacturing also need to know which skills they need to master to ensure they can obtain and excel in a modern manufacturing facility.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the nature of the most in-demand jobs throughout manufacturing in 2025. We’ll also consider which skills those jobs require and how those skills must guide and influence CTE educators today and in the years to come.
Like every other aspect of industry and our lives in general, technology has transformed the modern manufacturing workplace. Specifically, advanced automation technologies, from robotics and automated guided vehicles to artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics, today’s manufacturing workers—from front line personnel to maintenance technicians—need more advanced skills than ever before.
As noted in a recent Manufacturing Dive article by Michelle No, “[m]anufacturers increasingly need workers that can repair and maintain complex machinery and robotics, as well as other technical roles. Smart factories and artificial intelligence integration are boosting productivity and customization. However, these trends have often been at odds with the industry’s ability to retain and attract talent.”
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, companies reported approximately 465,000 open manufacturing jobs as of October 2024. No points out that a recent survey of manufacturers also identified “the ‘inability to attract and retain employees’ as a top business challenge.”
But it’s not just any workers that manufacturers are looking for. They’re interested “specifically in attracting workers who can understand the new technologies dominating changing workplaces.”
According to Society for Manufacturing Engineers Senior Business Advisor and Director of Sales Operations Denise Leipold, “The growing adoption of industry 4.0 technologies is pushing demand in these positions, yet, manufacturers are struggling to find workers with that required expertise in the advanced technologies, such as auto automation, robotics, data science, etc.”
Manufacturers aren’t the only ones with demands related to the ever-changing technological landscape, though. No recognizes that “workers are looking for opportunities that are expansive in the types of training offered, and importantly, in their contributions to future career options.”
While technology has allowed manufacturers to increase productivity and efficiency, it has also placed educators and manufacturers alike in a bind in terms of the skills workers require. Educators must stay up to date in terms of the skills they’re teaching students, while manufacturers must face the challenge of upskilling current workers so they don’t fall behind the technological curve.
National Institute of Standards and Technology Education and Workforce Development Manager Brad Conrad notes that “[i]t’s becoming very clear that workers know their value, want a variety of options to do their training and want to make sure that the things that they’re spending time on not just support the company, but also support them. Workers are looking for opportunities that are helpful long-term.”
Unfortunately, many manufacturers and educators aren’t sure where to start. Tackling the challenges of training students and workers for modern manufacturing careers can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are experts available to guide them through the process.
Manufacturers and educators would do well to form partnerships, so that manufacturers can help educators understand exactly which advanced automation skills are critical for local industries. Likewise, educators can provide insight into how manufacturers can best upskill current employees.
Both manufacturers and educators can benefit from the expertise of the technical training experts at Amatrol. Amatrol has been the world leader in technical education for more than four decades now. The experts at Amatrol can provide needed guidance on everything from training and hands-on skill development to industry-standard certifications and apprenticeships.
The experts at Amatrol have been working alongside manufacturers for years to design training programs featuring eLearning curriculum and hands-on experience with trainers equipped with industrial components workers will encounter on the job. For more information about how Amatrol can help train students or workers, contact an expert at Amatrol today!
