1. assemblers and fabricators
Have you ever wondered who puts goods and products together before they ship out to customers? That’s where assemblers and fabricators fit in. These workers have always been a crucial part of the manufacturing process, but what's new today is how much employers value people with tech skills for this role. For example, leading companies often hire assemblers to work side by side with state-of-the-art robots. While the increasing reliance on technology is changing the landscape, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be around 192,000 assembler job openings per year through 2031.
about this job2. forklift operators
Employment in the material moving sector is projected to grow about 7 percent in the decade up to 2031, totalling around 105,700 openings per year. Many employers in this sphere are looking to hire as existing workers retire or leave the field. Forklift operator jobs involve transporting materials or goods around factories, helping to keep manufacturing efficient and on schedule. If you're interested in breaking into the area, you should be aware that safety training, along with some form of licensure or certification, is often required.
about this job3. materials handler
New opportunities for materials handlers — as well as new specialties — continue to emerge in both the manufacturing and logistics sectors. For example, there are now niche opportunities for refuse and recyclable material collectors, stock and material movers and more. While many factories and manufacturing sites are using technology to boost efficiency, there’s still a need for manual workers to help move materials, and this growth trend is unlikely to slow down or go away any time soon.
about this job4. picker / packers
With e-commerce booming globally, there is increased demand for pickers and packers, who prepare orders for delivery. These hands-on professionals have to know the lay of the land, carefully adhering to the specifics of each individual order while still carrying out their work on deadline. Note that these two titles are often used interchangeably in job descriptions, so if you've had success in one in the past, you're probably a good fit for the other.
about this job5. welders
Welders are responsible for using high heat to fuse materials like metals and thermoplastics during the manufacturing process. This task can be completed either manually or with remote-controlled equipment. These jobs may require experience reading blueprints, as well as knowledge of shop mathematics and mechanical drawing. Demand for welders is growing slowly but steadily, and is expected to increase as the need to repair aging infrastructure elements like bridges and buildings arises.
about this job6. warehouse workers
Warehouse jobs come in all shapes and sizes: pickers, packers, sorters, loaders and more, all with their own unique responsibilities. So, if you aren't sure exactly where you would fit in a warehouse environment, know that there's still likely to be a role for you. Plus, most of the key skills required for success are conveniently broken down below. They should give you a sense of whether or not you're a good match for a job in a warehouse.
about this jobessential manufacturing and logistics skills and certifications
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communication skills
Communicating clearly and effectively is a core requirement of nearly any job these days. In most manufacturing and logistics environments, this means being able to follow instructions, work productively with your colleagues and communicate any issues or challenges you encounter.
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attention to detail
The little things in life often make all the difference — and that's equally true in the context of manufacturing and logistics worksites, where paying attention to details is essential. And when you're working with heavy machinery and moving parts, it's also an important factor in risk management, safety and accident prevention.
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forklift operation
Forklifts are the engines of many manufacturing and logistics worksites. These powerful tools move items across warehouses and factory floors, transporting loads many times heavier than what most people can carry. Given that power, safety is a primary concern whenever forklifts are involved. Because of this, some form of forklift training may be a prerequisite for you to get hired.
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hand tools
Being hands-on in manufacturing and logistics roles is almost always a given. Good with handheld tools like drills, wrenches and saws? Great. There are manufacturing and logistics roles out there for you.
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labeling packages
Labeling takes more than just putting a sticker on a box or crate. You may be dealing with hundreds or even thousands of different types of packages or products. Getting it right requires careful work and concentration.
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loading
Loading is an important part of the workflow at many manufacturing and logistics worksites. It's the preparatory step that occurs immediately prior to a given action — before the forklift driver can move the pallet, for example, someone has to help load it.
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mechanical assembly
This sounds fancy, but it's really quite simple. "Mechanical assembly" just means following written or verbal instructions to construct a finished product, or parts of a finished product, using various predetermined materials.
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moving goods
Moving goods isn't for the faint of heart. In manufacturing and logistics environments, it's going to require physical strength, stamina and a good deal of conditioning — because these items might be heavy! You'll also need to work carefully and follow proper lifting procedures in order to keep your worksite safe and avoid injury.
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operation monitoring
"Operation monitoring" refers to all of the leadership responsibilities that often fall to those in supervisory positions within the industry. It also builds upon a number of other vital soft skills: time management, situational awareness, interpersonal skills and more.
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picking / packing
You'll find "picking" and "packing" used more or less interchangeably on job boards. These functions include a lot of the core work that goes on at manufacturing and logistics worksites every day, requiring you to track down items or products related to an order and then pack them up so they're ready to ship.
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reading comprehension
You won't have to deconstruct War and Peace, but many roles in manufacturing and logistics — any that involve mechanical assembly, for example — will require you to carefully read and follow instructions, which may be verbal or written. That's why basic reading comprehension is often essential. If needed, these instructions are often available in more than one language. Just talk to your supervisor.
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scanners
"Scanners" refers to different things in different work environments, but probably the most common example is the RFID reader — a handheld radio frequency transmitter that can read information from RFID tags on products or components. These scanners come in handy in large warehouse environments when workers need to find specific items or products in a hurry. In other words, using them is an indispensable skill in the modern manufacturing and logistics environment.
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soldering
Soldering is the joining of two or more items by melting a filler metal and using it as a joint. It's also a highly skilled craft. No surprise, then, that this is another area where certification, safety training or some kind of licensure may be required for you to get the job.
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sorting
Sorting may sound simple, but it's an essential part of nearly any work stream. Your goal is to visually inspect and identify items or products, then pass them along to the appropriate next stage in the process.
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stocking
In manufacturing and logistics, "stocking" refers to the ongoing replenishment of goods, materials and resources around the worksite. This typically happens on a regularly scheduled cadence — say, twice daily, or every other Monday. A lot of that will be determined by demand, as well as the relative production velocity of your worksite.
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warehouse
Warehouses are simply large buildings where products are stored and prepared for shipment. They frequently serve as important distribution hubs as well. Knowing your way around one — and knowing how to navigate them safely — is a key skill in today's manufacturing and logistics environments.