Labor Challenges and Worker Opportunities in Manufacturing.

Michael Todisco

Apprenticeship Director

What if we told you there were close to 8,000 job openings in the manufacturing sector that pay on average almost $80,000 a year?

It’s important to first understand the magnitude of the industry. On Long Island, there are 3,000 manufacturing companies. Additionally, there are 70,000 employees, with an average salary of $83,000. Suffolk County accounts for 55,000 of those employees, the highest per-county amount in New York State.

If manufacturing is booming on Long Island, then why is the industry having trouble filling high-paying positions?  The problem is two-fold: Stereotypes presume that manufacturing is a dirty job and there is a lack of awareness of manufacturing as a viable career option. It seems, unfortunately, that perceptions of manufacturing are stuck in the 20th century. Let’s fix that.

Here’s what manufacturing looks like in 2021.

Manufacturing jobs come with higher salaries and better benefits than many other fields today. You can enter the industry at any education level and rise to the top. There are varied career pathways from business development, to purchasing, to hands-on manufacturing of the products.  Your role could be developing life-saving pharmaceuticals or designing technology for the Navy.

We are at a major pivot point for our region as we collaboratively agree to establish a strategic plan and pathway for Long Island manufacturing. WDI’s research, the 2019 Long Island Manufacturing Snapshot report, was a major step. Now, we need engagement from everyone—industry, educators, government, and Long Islanders as a whole. Many schools’ manufacturing-related programs are near maximum enrollment and developing seamless apprenticeships and workforce pipelines are crucial to filling the talent need. The recent resolution for a regional training facility endorsed by our Task Force especially holds tremendous promise.

Manufacturing is the backbone of Long Island’s innovation economy. But it isn’t an industry without challenges. We’ll continue to adapt, invent and overcome so that Long Island remains a global leader in advancing science and technology.