The U.S. is adding manufacturing jobs again. The catch: You might need a college degree to get one.
That shift has big ramifications for the U.S. economy. Higher-skill jobs tend to pay better and create greater profits for their employers, boosting growth. But because these roles require more education, companies risk a skilled-worker shortage if training programs don’t keep pace.
Swift Coat, a maker of antireflective coated glass for satellites, plans to hire two or three workers by the end of the year at its facility in a dusty industrial park in northern Phoenix. All positions will require an engineering degree.
Swift is part of a broader shift in America’s factory landscape. U.S. manufacturers have increased their head count by 72,000 since December, a flicker of hope after years of declining employment. But these aren’t your grandfather’s factory jobs. Manufacturers are hiring more white-collar workers in management and business operations. And blue-collar roles increasingly require advanced training as factories become more automated and complex.
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