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2 0 1 7 • S T U F F 21 We Provide Staffing SolutionS for Your Workforce needS We find toP talent! contact us today to learn how expert Staffing can assist you. www.expert-staffing.com 120 Stafford Street, Worcester, MA 01603 • 508.762.9449 Worcester | Southbridge | leominster | lawrence | Holyoke | W. Springfield | framingham | Hartford, ct | lewiston, Me | Scarborough, Me manufacturing hasn't always been on the upswing. Many Gen-Xers recall entering the job market 30 years ago when, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 5 million more manufacturing jobs existed than today. Take, for example, director of counseling for Auburn High School, Tess Jarvis. In a non-vocational setting Jarvis has found this same Gen-X mentality persists among her Gen-Z students. "With the overall decline in manufacturing career opportunities over the years, high school graduates typically do not seek careers in manufacturing," she said. Jarvis is eager to aid all of her students in ob- taining job security and recognizes there are 12.3 million manufacturing workers in America. "I would hope local businesses are seeking to grow and hire [Auburn graduates.] We would love to hear from them to connect our students who are not continuing on to four year schools," she said. Stigma around those studying manufacturing At Blackstone Valley Regional Technical High School (BVT), School Counselor, Caitlin Forgit said the Manufacturing & Engineering Technology pro- gram is in high demand. Participants in the program receive a foundation in machining, metal fabrication, and welding disciplines. BVT instructors emphasize the collaborative abil- "The perception of manufacturing is that there are not sustainable wages or careers in manufacturing. However, the opposite is true." - Kathie Mahoney of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership. FACTOI D Continued on page 22 Number of computer hardware engineers in Massachusetts 2,960 The manufacturing industry's rank among employment sectors in Worcester County, with 35,012 jobs, bested only by education & health services, and transportation & utilities. 3rd