8 S T U F F • 2 0 2 1 • StuffMadeinMA.com
$1 trillion.
When it comes to
applicants for jobs, it's
a case of the more the
merrier, say manufac-
turing experts.
Industry terminology
should not intimidate
job seekers, either.
Positions to be
filled often use the word "operator" for
lower-level team members who are espe-
cially trainable and are less likely to need a
manufacturing background, said John
Killam, president and CEO of the training
organization Massachusetts Manufacturing
Extension Partnership, with technicians a
more upper-level niche, with supervisors
after that.
Once in the door, "90% of companies
have really good training to move up the
ladder," Killam said, with upward mobility.
"Companies are of
the mindset, 'If this
person has good
skills and can com-
municate, we'll pro-
mote them to man-
agement.'"
Dexter-Russell isn't
alone in putting
training on the table,
said Judy Silvia,
spokesperson for MassMEP. Pembroke
LED-sign maker Sunrise Sesa Technologies
Inc.; Dudley's Henke Sass Wolf of America,
which makes medical equipment; BELT
Technologies of Fall River, a machining
manufacturer; and linen maker John
Matouk & Co. Inc. of Fall River all wel-
come potential team members up for
learning new skills.
Another Central Massachusetts compa-
ny has faced the worker shortage with stra-
tegic planning as well.
"It's an overused phrase, but Quabbin
33,812
Number of manufacturing employees in
Worcester County in 2020, the first year
employment dropped since 2011
Continued from page 7
$53,474
Average annual salary of a Massachusetts
manufacturing floor worker in 2020, the
second highest in New England, following
Connecticut. The salary also beats out the
average in New York and New Jersey.
Dexter Russell, which is
headquartered in
Southbridge and has
facilities throughout North
America, has been
knifemaking since 1818.
John Killam
Judy Silvia
