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Careers in Metalforming and Manufacturing | |
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| Solid Opportunities You May Have Overlooked
Are you looking for more than just a job? How about a career in a fast-paced, technologically advanced, forward-looking environment? Then look into the metalforming industry! It's a world of opportunities for developing high-paid skills. Thousands of secure, well-paid career positions in the industry are going unfilled as students pursue jobs that appear more glamorous but often pay less.
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What is Metalforming? The text book definition of metalforming is, "giving utility to sheet metal by shaping it using tooling in machines." What does this mean? It's the industry which uses equipment such as stamping presses, press brakes, metal spinning machines, roll forming lines, slide formers, welders, benders, turrets, lasers, and other metal fabrication equipment to form and produce metal parts which touch our lives every day. With production valued at more than $41 billion each year, it is a strong, thriving industry with deep roots in our culture. |
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Here are a few of the Career Opportunities in Metalforming. Production Associates - These are the "hands on" operators of stamping presses, press brakes, metal spinning machines, roll formers, slide formers, metal fabrication machines and a variety of other equipment used to form metal parts. Most metal forming employers continue to move to team environments where "Production Associates" take greater responsibility for their work and are involved with problem solving. This makes their jobs more exciting and challenging than ever before. These positions generally require good basic math skills, problem solving skills, and the ability to work and communicate with others in teams. Production Associate positions offer strong, stable job opportunities. |
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| Machinists and Tool & Die Makers -These are the skilled operators of machine tools who create and maintain the tooling, fixtures, and equipment which are at the heart of metalforming. While these journeyman positions have been in existence since the industrial revolution, the machine tools and work practices have evolved with space age technology. From computerized machine tools to exotic materials, today's machinists/tool & die makers take advanced theories and put them into practice. These positions generally require above average math skills, problem solving skills, and the completion of an apprenticeship program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Manufacturing Technology Associates-These are the people trained to provide engineering solutions to problems in manufacturing design and production. Their training in the areas of manufacturing related design, problem solving skills, and software tools is applied in disciplines such as tool design, quality systems, production planning, operations management, CNC programming, product development, project management, technical service, and training.
These positions require knowledge of engineering principles, the ability to develop solutions to problems, appropriate software identification and usage, and experience in an area of specialization.
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Why Should YOU Choose a Metalforming Career? Start Earning Now! In many cases apprenticeships and internships allow you to begin earning money while you're still in high school, or immediately upon graduation. This can put you far ahead of your classmates who choose to go to college. Let's Get Real! Only 40% of those who start college complete their degree within five years. By choosing a career in metalforming you'll be on your way to a solid career with opportunities to advance to engineering or even management-your friends may still be deciding what their majors will be. Your Job Skills Move With You - The skills you learn in a metalforming career go with you where ever you choose to live. Skill standards have been established and are accepted throughout the nation. 
The Bottom Line - Today's metalforming companies offer fair and competitive compensation packages. These packages include a variety of employee benefits such as health care, pension plans, profit sharing, paid vacations, etc. These benefits coupled with your initial earning potential can put you far ahead of many college graduates. Following is the average annual income for a number of occupations in the metalforming industry. These averages are based on a nationwide survey of Precision Metalforming Association member companies; actual income will undoubtedly fluctuate due to regional cost of living differences. |
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| With average industry annual income of more than $34,000, plus substantial benefits packages, you can begin carving out your career path in metalforming and building your earning power now. If you have a high school diploma and a motivation to succeed, regardless of sex or race, there's a career waiting for you! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To learn more about people who have succeeded in these positions, click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
