Sometimes an old narrative is hard to break. If you ask people about manufacturing in Delaware, they’d tell you it’s dead or was finished when General Motors and Chrysler exited. Fact of the matter is that manufacturing is alive and well in Delaware. Drive through any commercial or industrial park and you’ll find very little available space for rent. Our Delaware Manufacturing Association, an affiliate of the State Chamber, is healthy and growing.

Nationally, according to one of our parent organizations (the National Association of Manufacturers or NAM), manufacturing employment rose by 18,000 in May, the weakest monthly increase in 13 months. Despite some softening, as well as significant ongoing challenges with supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages and soaring costs, hiring in the sector has remained robust. Through the first five months of 2022, the sector hired 213,000 employees, building on the 365,000 workers added in calendar year 2021, the most since 1994.

Meanwhile, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 390,000 in May, averaging a solid 408,000 over the past three months. The unemployment rate remained at a post-pandemic low of 3.6%, and the labor force participation rate ticked up from 62.2% to 62.3%. April’s report recorded 996,000 manufacturing job openings, a new all-time high. Over the past 12 months, job openings in the sector have averaged nearly 877,250. The number of job postings continued to be well above pre-pandemic levels, as companies ramped up activity and looked for more workers to meet the additional capacity. 

Process Technicians: Highly Sought-After in the First State

There are hundreds of unfilled and well-paying process technician positions at manufacturing companies in Delaware.

The Chemical Process Operator program at Delaware Technical Community College provides students with the skills to become knowledgeable process operators in the chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, and petroleum refining industries. These important industries throughout the Delaware River Valley area have a great need for trained process technicians to operate equipment for the production of industrial and consumer products. The Chemical Process Operator Program has three options: certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs, so that students can build their educational credentials as they work in the field. Learn More >

If last week was any indication of what’s in store over the final days of session – buckle up. Several bills saw movement and more continue to be introduced late and some without stakeholder or industry input.

Additionally, Senate committee meetings remain virtual, and the public comment portion of the meetings in both the House and Senate are often cut short due to packed agendas and time restraints – sometimes leaving the public and the business community with little input in the policy and decision-making process. Policies that if passed, will have vast implications for not only businesses, but all Delawareans. Continue reading >

This will be an important week for economic news as the New York Fed reports on inflation expectations today, and the producer price index results for May are released tomorrow. On Wednesday, the Fed Open Market Committee meets, and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell speaks at a 2:00 press conference. His remarks will touch on inflation and interest rates. Earlier on Wednesday, May retail sales figures are made public. On Thursday we’ll get early June jobless data, and building permits and housing starts results from May. We wrap up a busy week on Friday with leading economic indicators and the results from May. 

Companies with earnings calls this week starts off with Oracle today. Clariant, Adobe, and Kroger round out a light week for calls.  

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