Secure Your Future
Rewarding manufacturing jobs are out there just waiting for the right, highly-skilled candidates to fill them. FMA can help you become that candidate and develop a fulfilling, well-paid career in advanced manufacturing.
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Student Membership Benefits
Priority consideration for an NBT college scholarship
Higher visibility to hiring companies
Discounted FMA Store purchases
Complimentary subscription to popular FMA publications
Industry connections to build your network
Access to a members-only online community and newsletter
Complimentary registration to FABTECH
2.69M
Jobs open from retirements
1.96M
New jobs due to natural growth
4.6M
Manufacturing jobs to fill from 2018-2028
Only 2.2M jobs are likely to be filled!
2.4M (53 out of 100) open positions lie vacant due to a skills shortage in the U.S. manufacturing industry
Source: Facts about Manufacturing: The Top 18 Facts You Need to Know
It Pays to Be in Manufacturing
Having a two-year degree or certificate in a manufacturing-focused program offers desirable career options. In the U.S., the top-10 highest paying industries with median annual wages plus bonuses are:
- Software and IT Services — $104,700
- Hardware and Networking — $101,100
- Manufacturing — $85,600
- Healthcare — $84,600
- Finance — $82,800
- Consumer Goods — $80,000
- Construction — $78,500
- Corporate Services — $75,000
- Legal — $72,600
- Media and Communications — $71,900
Source: "The Best-Paying Jobs And Industries In the U.S.," Forbes, September 2017
No. 1 Cause of the Skills Shortage
Most manufacturers believe that the No. 1 cause of the skills shortage is "shifting skill set due to the introduction of new advanced technology and automation."
Source: Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute skills research initiative
Five Key Skills Will Define the Future of Manufacturing
Source: Deloitte analysis
Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam
In response to increasing requests from industry leaders and the educational community, FMA and metal fabrication instructors developed the Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam.
Designed for schools, students, and industry professionals, this exam awards participants with an industry-recognized certificate after completing coursework and passing the assessment.
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