Manufacturing
The Manufacturing cluster is about planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering. Today, highly automated manufacturing requires extremely technical skills. Employers continue to need machinists as they purchase new equipment, modify production techniques, and implement design changes more rapidly. Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers are needed as the use of sophisticated manufacturing machinery requires proper maintenance. The Quality Assurance and Maintenance, Installation, and Repair pathways are projected to employ 103,600 Virginians.
Engineering
Trainer in Manufacturing
Mechatronics Technicians
Career
Spotlight
Do you like working with your hands?
Do you enjoy working with machines & computers?
Would you like to see your ideas/work in public?
What It Takes:
Strong math & science skills
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Excellent problem solving skills
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Willingness to be a productive teammate
Machinist
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This is where the hands-on training of the technical world meets the math and science world. Machinists set up and operate mechanically controlled and computer-controlled machine tools to modify parts or produce precision metal parts, tools, and instruments. The industry continues to innovate and upgrade to automated technology but machinists are needed to set up, monitor, and maintain the systems.
General tasks could include:
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Operate machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to produce metal parts
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Review electronic or written blueprints or specifications for a job
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Shape steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, silicon, and other materials
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Plan the sequence of cutting and finishing operations
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Use manual and computer-controlled machinery
Career Pathways
Middle School
High School
Technical
Center
Community
College
Traditional
College
Graduate
School
Equipment Assemblers
Machinists & Welders
Carpenters
Planning Clerks
Industrial Technicians
Tool & Die Makers
Electronics Technicians
Mechanical Drafters
Production Supervisors
Purchasing Agents
Industrial Managers
Average Salary
$46,817
Average Salary
$61,277
Average Salary
$63,823
Average Salary
86,550
