Celebrating MFG in DE

September 27, 2021

When I was a teenager, it was drummed into us that a lifetime of financial success could be realized if you obtained a college degree. A university education absolutely has value, but other paths to wealth creation now exist too. Later this week, the nation will recognize National Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 1st.

“Manufacturing Day—helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders.”

Manufacturers will need to fill an estimated 4 million jobs between now and the end of this decade. Several thousand of these jobs are present in Delaware, and shortages exist. Technical skills training, beyond a high school diploma, is needed to fill high-paying jobs in this sector and applicants need to be comfortable with technology, working in teams to problem solve, and more.

Here at the State Chamber, your membership also gives you access to the Delaware Manufacturing Association because we are an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Teachers and counselors are helping young people discover the opportunities that exist on the manufacturing floor, but more needs to be done.

Only 3 percent of the workforce exits a high school, college, or university each year. And 97 percent of the workers employers need right now are already in the workforce! We need to identify those individuals, assess their skills, and provide the necessary training that will, in many cases, lead to higher job satisfaction and wealth creation.

Uniquely Delaware

More than 94% of Delaware's global exports come from manufacturing

Manufacturing means good jobs and good wages. Delaware is a manufacturing-friendly state. More than 27,000 Delawareans and their families rely on manufacturing for jobs and income. With a steady increase in manufacturing jobs in the state, Delaware is committed to developing the next generation of manufacturers.

The top 5 manufacturing sectors leading the way in job growth are:

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing
Basic Chemical Manufacturing
Other General-Purpose Machinery Manufacturing

Source: Delaware Prosperity Partnership

News You Can Use

We open the week hearing from several different Fed leaders and learning about durable goods orders results from August. On Tuesday, we get September consumer confidence index numbers, and again hear from several Fed leaders. Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker offers his outlook on Wednesday morning and we’ll see pending home sales figures for August. Jobless data is on tap for Thursday and we wrap up a busy week on Friday with personal income, consumer spending, inflation, and manufacturing data from August.

JBL, Cintas, Micron Technology, McCormick and Company, Bed Bath and Beyond, CarMax, and Paychex are among the companies hosting earnings calls this week.

Michael J. Quaranta

President

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

At INVISTA, they make the chemicals, polymers, fabrics, and fibers that can handle life’s toughest demands; create new solutions for life’s biggest needs; and deliver products and brands incorporated into your clothing, your car, and even your carpet.