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The Central Florida manufacturing industry is projected to need over 605 employees each year for the next
ten years. In 2004, Florida’s manufacturing sector was comprised of over 14,000 companies, 1,200 of
them located in Central Florida. Florida is a state of small manufacturers, with 71.8% employing less than
10 employees and only 4.9% employing 100 or more workers. Florida continues to be among the nation’s top
job generators and continues to attract and retain manufacturing employers.
WCF’s Board of Directors has designated Manufacturing a Priority Targeted Industry and is currently developing
a model to serve the Central Florida community. Some of the initiatives already under way:
- Employer Focus Groups: Workforce Central Florida continually conducts Employer
focus groups to identify industry needs and to act as a catalyst to help them solve some of the
identified issues
- Manufacturing Special Project Manager, A Special Project Manager works with
employers, youth and community and educational partners to promote careers in the manufacturing
industry
- WCF survey of Manufacturing Employers: WCF conducted a survey of the workforce needs
of local employers with the help of the Manufacturing Association of Central Florida. Click here
to view results
- Employed Worker Training grants: This past year, WCF has awarded local manufacturers
over $20O,000 in matching funds and upgraded the skills of over 500 employees through our Employed
Worker Training grant program. As a priority targeted industry, manufacturers can apply for up to
$50,000 in matching funds through our Employed Worker Training program. For guidelines and
application please follow the following link.
If you are an employer and would like more information on WCF’s manufacturing Industry initiatives which
also include OJT and customized training opportunities please contact:
RMatthes@wcfla.com
Search for candidates with manufacturing experience today
Manufacturing Professions
Florida’s nearly 400,000 manufacturing employees (over 17,000 in Central Florida) are paid an average wage
of $40,818 annually. Due to growth and the changing economy, manufacturing is an exciting high wage/high
tech industry with a tremendous need for workers. By 2020, the manufacturing industry will need an
additional 10,000,000 skilled workers. The average manufacturing employee makes over $40,000 per year.
Typical careers in manufacturing include:
Accountant, Attorney, Biochemist, Carpenter, Chemist, Computer Software Engineer, Electrician, HR Manager,
Production Manager, Mechanics, Purchasing Manager, Quality Auditor, Sales, Toolmakers, Welders.
For information on careers in the healthcare industry
Manufacturing Wages
| Entry Level |
Hourly Wage |
| (Requires on-the-job training or work experience) |
| Inspector, tester, sampler |
$14.04 |
| Customer service representative |
$12.93 |
| Electronic equipment assembler |
$10.70 |
| Team Assembler |
$10.49 |
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| Next Level |
| (Requires 2-4 years of education beyond high school) |
| Electrical engineering technician |
$20.53 |
| Industrial engineering technician |
$19.65 |
| Mechanical engineering technician |
$19.32 |
| Electrical drafter |
$18.96 |
| Computer, ATM and office machine repairer |
$15.19 |
| Semiconductor processor |
$14.61 |
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| Upper Level |
| (Requires 4+ years of education beyond high school plus work experience) |
| Computer software engineer, Applications |
$36.27 |
| Computer software engineer, Systems software |
$35.39 |
| Electronics engineer, Except computer |
$34.57 |
| Electrical Engineer |
$33.81 |
| Industrial Engineer |
$29.81 |
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