MUNCIE, Ind. (June 21, 2016) -- America’s advanced manufacturing sector needs a better educated workforce in order to continue expansion, says a new study from Ball State University.
“Advanced Manufacturing in the United States” examines advanced manufacturing across the nation. The report was prepared by Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in cooperation with Conexus Indiana, the state's advanced manufacturing initiative.
Data shows that nationally STEM (science, technology, engineering and Mathematics) and white-collar jobs are growing in the advanced manufacturing sector, while blue-collar occupations have declined.
“These data underscore the importance of talent development efforts with a focus on educational attainment,” Hicks says. “In the long run, a well-educated and ready workforce matters more than any other single factor in the health of advanced manufacturing firms.”
Advanced manufacturing is defined by the Brookings Institution as an industry sector with high levels of STEM-related occupations and research and development investment. Using Brookings Institution’s definition, CBER looked at each state’s advanced manufacturing employment as a share of total manufacturing employment in 2013.
CBER also prepared the 2016 Manufacturing and Logistics Report, prepared by Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) for Conexus Indiana. The report grades each state for manufacturing and logistics.
Both reports are available at conexus.cberdata.org.