What Is Manufacturing's Problem?

What Is Manufacturing’s Problem?

By Rod Kackley

Manufacturing drives Michigan. Every job created in manufacturing leads to 2.5 new jobs in the state, according to George Erickcek, a senior economist at the W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

He told his audience at the 17th Annual West Michigan Economic Outlook event in Grand Rapids all of the job growth in Michigan in 2013 was due to manufacturing.

However, manufacturing employment is still 24,000 jobs below the number of people working in that sector in 2000, and is 3,800 less than 2008. 

Still, there are jobs to be filled in Michigan’s factories. Skilled workers are in high demand. Where are the workers? Where is Michigan manufacturing’s lost generation?

Erickcek believes manufacturing is having so much trouble finding young workers to fill jobs that are being created by the resurgence of the auto industry and the retirements of seasoned manufacturing employees because it has such a bad reputation.

One generation told another factory life was not for them. And for once, their kids believed them.

“Manufacturing’s track record doesn’t look that good to eighteen-year olds,” Erickcek said during The Right Place Inc. event inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, December 12, 2013.

Yet, he believes manufacturing is going to continue to fuel Michigan’s economy. 

The strength of Michigan’s leading economic sector could actually be a blessing in disguise for those eighteen-year olds looking for work, and their parents who want them to stay in Michigan even if the teens have no desire to turn a wrench.

Erickcek pointed to 2014 auto sales forecasts of more than 16 million vehicles, and said, “The car industry is going to give Michigan the breathing room to diversify and no be such a one-horse town.”


Grand Rapids, Michigan has its own talent issues, which are an example of why diversifying is so important. Click here for that story.

Where Are The Workers, the second book in the five-part ebook series, Restore The Roar: Manufacturing Renaissance by Rod Kackley, is available wherever ebooks are sold, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and vook.com.

Scientists, artists, zombies and two of the richest families in the world helped Grand Rapids, Michigan change the way it is seen by the world, and the way the world sees this American community.

Last Chance Mile: The Reinvention of an American Community tells their stories, and is available wherever books are sold including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes, as well as Barnes & Noble-Woodland Mall, Schuler Books & Music-28th Street and West Coast Coffee on Monroe Center.

To order an autographed hardcover or softcover edition of Last Chance Mile, please go to www.rodkackley.com

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