Manufacturing

Overview

The manufacturing industry is engaged in the physical or chemical transformation of materials, substances or components into new products (except agriculture and construction).

Manufacturing is commonly conducted in plants, factories or mills. Power-driven machines and other materials-handling equipment are used to change raw materials such as the products of agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining into a range of products.

Jobs are diverse and range across production, design, planning, management, human resources, and in specialised processes working with the latest technologies and manufacturing techniques. Jobs in manufacturing are becoming highly technical as the industry moves to a future embedded in the digital and information technology world.

Considerations

• Post-school qualifications are generally not required for low-skilled jobs.
• Modern manufacturing requires a VET qualification and/or an apprenticeship.
• Workers should have well-developed skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
• Many workers in this industry are employed full-time, however part-time employment is becoming more common.