With 87,000 regional workers, a 10-year projected growth rate of nearly 20%, and significant openings due to retirements, Advanced Manufacturing is one of the region’s largest and fastest growing industry sectors and a major contributor to the health and vitality of the local economy. Advanced Manufacturing’s average annual wage of $79,369 is 58% higher than the regional average and it provides a variety of career options for the region’s population.
The Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative recognizes the importance of the regional manufacturing sector and is committed to working directly with industry to ensure our efforts produce the talent regional manufacturers need to grow and thrive.
Manufacturing Workforce Plan
The Collaborative has worked with the region’s advanced manufacturing employers, economic development organizations, workforce and education partners to develop the region’s first Manufacturing Workforce Plan as a means to address the workforce challenges of this critical sector. The plan was released in October 2013 and will serve as a blueprint to direct and guide public investments to address the workforce needs of regional manufacturers through 2015.
Manufacturing Workforce Plan 2013-2015
Plan Goals:
- Building a Labor Pipeline by Attracting Interested Committed Youth
- Finding Work-Ready Candidates Now
- Strengthening the Manufacturing Community
