Advanced manufacturing career pathways are essential for CTE educators to be aware of, especially as attracting and retaining skilled workers is a top priority in the United States manufacturing sector. In fact, the industry will need to fill upwards of 4 million jobs by 2028.
To help bridge this gap, Manufacturing USA recently announced that broadening access to advanced manufacturing career pathways is one of the keys for an all-of-manufacturing approach to workforce development. So, what information do educators and students need to know about advanced manufacturing career pathways?
What are advanced manufacturing career pathways?
Advanced manufacturing career pathways help funnel CTE students into skilled jobs and prepare them for careers in the advanced manufacturing industry through structured academics and technical training. CTE programs will often provide foundational courses, and then allow students to dive deeper into specific concentrations, and even provide opportunities to earn college credits or industry credentials.
What do advanced manufacturing career pathways look like within CTE programs?
In Maryland, the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Career Cluster contains both Project Lead the Way Engineering for foundational-level courses, and a Manufacturing Engineering Technologies program that prepares students for a career in manufacturing and machine technologies and aligns to the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Machining Level I Credentials.
Manufacturing programs in Delaware schools are separated into four pathways, including: Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Logistics Technician, Manufacturing Production Technician and Industrial Maintenance Mechanic. The program lengths vary from three courses to three years, providing students with academic courses, early college credits and credentials, and work-based learning experiences.
The Manufacturing Career Cluster in the District of Columbia focuses on planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering. Welding students can earn up to six different industry certifications in the program.
West Virginia’s manufacturing program contains eight different high school programs of study, including Industrial Robotics, Machine Tool Technology, and Aviation Maintenance Technician. Students can earn credentials in the program, like FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, FANUC Certified Robot Operator-1 & 2, WV Welders Certifications and more.
Students in Virginia schools can choose from manufacturing pathways like Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing Systems, Mechatronics and more. Students can take courses at any grade level in high school and can participate in high-quality work-based learning which provides experiential learning opportunities related to students’ career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.
What careers are included within advanced manufacturing career paths?
Although specific pathways vary per state and local industry needs, there are six major pathways for manufacturing according to Advance CTE, including: Production, Manufacturing Production Process Development, Maintenance, Installation, and Repair, Quality Assurance, Logistics and Inventory Control Pathway, Health, Safety, and Environmental Assurance.
Here’s what opportunities students can expect from each pathway.
- Production- People with careers in production work on the shop floor making parts or assembling them. They work with machines, making or assembling parts, performing welding jobs, or printing various materials. Occupations from this pathway include:
- Automated Manufacturing Technician
- Welder
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Solderer and Brazer
- Machine Operator
- Calibration Technician
- Manufacturing Production Process Development- Employees in Manufacturing Production Process Development are responsible for product design and design of the manufacturing process. They work with customers to ensure the manufacturing process produces a product that meets or exceeds customer expectations. They also monitor the manufacturing process and the materials used to manufacture the product. These occupations can include:
- Electronics/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineer
- Engineering/Manufacturing Technician
- Precision Inspector, Tester, and Grader
- Process Improvement Technician
- Production Manager
- Maintenance, Installation & Repair- People with careers in Maintenance, Installation and Repair perform preventive maintenance procedures on machines tools and equipment. They also troubleshoot and repair electrical, electronic and mechanical systems. This will include mechanical repair as well as using computer-based inventory control systems, retrieving information histories on each machine from computer records, and recording repair activities on the system to keep accurate records of repairs performed on each machine. Sample career specialties include:
- Computer Maintenance Technician
- Electrical Equipment Installer/Repairer
- Facility Electrician
- Industrial Facilities Manager
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
- Millwright
- Quality Assurance- Quality Assurance employees assure that standards and procedures are adhered to and that delivered products or services meet performance requirements. They may have responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the quality of parts and manufacturing processes. This could include identifying the raw product to ensure it meets specifications, as well as measuring or otherwise testing products and parts to ensure they meet required customer specifications. Job specialties in this pathway could be:
- Calibration Technician
- Inspector
- Lab Technician
- Process Control Technician
- Quality Control Technician
- Quality Engineer
- SPC Coordinator
- Logistics & Inventory Control- People with careers in Logistics and Inventory Control work with an inventory of raw materials and finished parts. They move raw materials to the production line, unload trucks with raw materials, wrap pallets of finished products for shipment, and communicate with traffic managers. Occupations within this pathway could be:
- Logistical Engineer
- Material Handler
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator
- Process Improvement Technician
- Traffic Manager
- Traffic, Shipping, and Receiving Clerk
- Health, Safety & Environmental Assurance- Employees in Health, Safety and Environmental Assurance ensure that the equipment is being used safely in the workplace; plan for safety in new production processes; conduct health, safety and/or environmental incident and hazard investigations; and implement health, safety and/or environmental programs, projects, policies or procedures. They may train workers in health, safety and/or environmental issues and provide event documentation. Careers in this pathway include:
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Specialist
- Health and Safety Representative
- Safety Coordinator
- Safety Engineer
- Safety Technician
What skills do students need to be successful in advanced manufacturing career pathways?
Basic STEM principles taught at younger grade levels can be a solid foundation for manufacturing programs. At higher levels, specific courses and curriculum may vary according to local needs, but common foundational courses may introduce manufacturing occupations, Industry 4.0, information technology, manufacturing technology, manufacturing design, and safety in the workplace.
For example, the IGNITE program was created by Amatrol specifically to provide high school students with the technical knowledge needed to fill high-skilled jobs at manufacturing facilities. The program contains six courses in addition to project-based learning, including:
- Course 1: Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing– Introduces fundamental concepts in advanced manufacturing, design to ignite interest and develop basic skills. Technical Highlights: Smart Automation, CNC, Robotics, CAD, Additive Manufacturing, and Safety.
- Course 2: Introduction to Systems – Projects applying team concepts and problem solving to basic systems. Expands on Course 1 technical topics in Smart Automation.
- Course 3: Mechatronic Systems – Projects in mechatronic systems combining computer-based controllers with electrical, mechanical, and fluid technologies. Introduces Programmable Controller (PLC) programming and applications.
- Course 4: Digital Manufacturing Systems – Projects in Digital Enterprise Systems combining PLCs, Robotics, and Cloud Technologies. Introduces Networking, CAM, Cloud-Based Data Collection, and Lean Manufacturing.
- Course 5: Advanced Materials & Design – A capstone course that deepens technical skills in advanced manufacturing processes, materials, and design while completing an advanced team project. Features CAD/CAM, CNC, welding, plastics, and materials engineering.
- Course 6: IIoT, Data Analytics, & Networking – A capstone course that enriches technical skills in Industry 4.0 systems and the Industrial Internet of Things using managed networks, data analytics software, cybersecurity, variable frequency drives, RFID, barcode, and smart sensors.
Hands-on learning is a critical component of learning advanced manufacturing career skills. CTE programs may offer apprenticeships, internships, and other opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and make connections with employers in the field. They may also offer teaching kits or trainers geared toward particular focus areas to ensure students are gaining valuable skills in the classroom.
What types of equipment are used for advanced manufacturing hands-on learning?
Programs like IGNITE incorporate real industrial equipment for hands-on skills training. Educators can benefit from turnkey systems and complete workstations with state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 technologies, such as the Industrial Internet of Things, smart sensors, and Additive Manufacturing.
These hands-on training systems, which are designed by engineers and subject-matter experts, are loaded with real-world, industrial components to enable students to practice on the type of equipment they will encounter on the job. These heavy-duty systems stand up to frequent use by inexperienced users. Explore the types of hands-on training systems used in the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing program here.
Advanced manufacturing equipment can range from welding training and robotics and automation to mechatronics and engineering. If you have questions while navigating the different options, you can always contact us.
