Careers in Manufacturing

Manufacturing can be defined as the use of tools and labor to make things for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale. The manufacturing sector in Greater Phoenix can be divided into three major sub-categories:

• High-Tech Manufacturing: The manufacture of high-tech equipment such as computers, semiconductors, electronic instruments, and communications equipment.
• Aerospace: The manufacture of aircraft, aircraft engines, rockets, missiles, space vehicles, and navigation equipment for both the military and civilian markets.
• Other Manufacturing: All other manufacturing areas, including food and metals processing, clothing, chemicals, furniture, machinery, electrical, and transportation equipment manufacturing.

Although the products of these industry sectors might not necessarily be high-tech in nature, they can nevertheless be manufactured using high-tech methods and processes.

Demand for manufacturing occupations in Greater Phoenix is expected to increase in the coming years. Between 2004 and 2014, employment in production occupations is forecasted to grow 15.7%.

COLLEGES OFFERING PROGRAMS

• Chandler-Gilbert
• Estrella Mountain
• GateWay
• Glendale
• Mesa
• Paradise Valley
• Phoenix
• Rio Salado
• South Mountain

Additional Information (pdf)