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.

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2. 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.

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3. 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.

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4. 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.

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5. 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.

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6. 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.

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essential manufacturing and logistics skills and certifications