Manufacturing and Product Development

The Manufacturing and Product Development Sector provides a foundation in manufacturing processes and systems. Manufacturing is the use of tools and labor to make products to sell. Product development involves the creation of an idea and the subsequent design and process that results in a product for sale. This sector is closely related to engineering and industrial design. An important part of California’s economy, this sector produces a wide range of products from sophisticated electronic/computer related equipment to the simplest of toys. As our world becomes more dependent on electronics, students with training and education in manufacturing and product development will continue to be in high demand. The Manufacturing and Product Development Sector is for students who enjoy working with their hands, building or designing infrastructures, and expressing themselves artistically.

Career Pathways

Graphic Arts Technology Pathway

The Graphic Arts Technology Pathway provides students with an understanding of manufacturing processes and systems common to careers in graphic arts and printing technology. Designers make sketches, models, and computer simulations which are presented to engineers and marketing staff. Students will be introduced to different printing enterprises, graphic design, photography, and art and copy preparation.

Careers/Career Areas:

Publishers
Editors
Graphic Artists/Designers
Desktop Publishing
Production Managers
Network Engineers
Industrial Designers
Commercial Photographers

Integrated Graphics Technology Pathway

The Integrated Graphics and Technology Pathway is for students who have a passion for both the arts and electronics. Technology related to this pathway is continually evolving. Creativity ranks in importance with education and experience. Text, graphics, audio, video, and animation are areas explored in this pathway. Careers in this pathway involve a wide range of activities including on-demand publishing, digital imaging, analog and digital videography, and electronic image assembly.

Careers/Career Areas:

Special Effects Animators
Webmasters
Multimedia Producers
Web Designers
Publication Managers
Special Effects Journeymen

Machine and Forming Technology Pathway

The Machine and Forming Technology Pathway teaches students how machines are designed to form products in the manufacturing industry. After a layout design is developed, the machine forming process cuts, shapes, forges, molds, casts, fastens, and finishes the manufacturing process. Skilled craftsmen ensure the finished product meets the product specifications.

Careers/Career Areas:

Assemblers
Design Engineers
Tooling Technicians
Tooling Engineers
Computer Programmers
Mechanical Engineers
Industrial Technology Educators
Machine Operators
Maintenance Mechanics

Welding Technology Pathway

The Welding Technology Pathway provides students with an understanding of how welding and related careers fit in the manufacturing process. During the manufacturing process, highly skilled craftsmen apply a wide variety of bonding techniques. Topics include mechanical bonding, joining, cohesive bonding, adhesive bonding, and mechanical fastening. Newer welding methods include laser, ultrasonic, and electron beam. The demand for trained welders continues to look good.

Careers/Career Areas:

Welders
Boilermakers
Blacksmiths
Ironworkers
Metallurgists
Robotics Technicians
Quality Control Inspectors
Fabrication Designers
Plastics Assemblers
Composite Fabricators
Manufacturing Engineers

Labor Market Information

The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.

Occupation Title	Employment Levels in 2006	Projected Employment Level 2016	Projected Job Growth	Percent of Job Growth	2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage	2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage	2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage	2008 Annual Mean Wage
Advertising Sales Agents	21,000	25,300	4,300	20.5%	$27.70	$1,108.00	$4,653.60	$55,843.20
Assemblers & Fabricators	32,400	33,500	1,100	3.4%	$13.18	$527.20	$2,214.24	$26,570.90
Commercial & Industrial Designers	5,900	6,600	700	11.9%	$36.46	$1,458.40	$6,125.28	$73,503.40
Computer Programmers	36,900	35,700	-1,200	-3.3%	$39.10	$1,564.00	$6,568.80	$78,825.60
Destop Publishers	2,900	2,900	0	0.0%	$19.87	$794.80	$3,338.16	$40,057.90
Editors	14,100	15,600	1,500	10.6%	$28.04	$1,121.60	$4,710.72	$56,528.60
Graphic Designers	36,700	41,800	5,100	13.9%	$25.99	$1,039.60	$4,366.32	$52,395.80
Industrial production manager	19,400	20,300	900	4.6%	$46.51	$1,860.40	$7,813.68	$93,764.20
Machine operators	5,200	5,400	200	3.8%	$12.71	$508.40	$2,135.28	$25,623.40
Machinists	32,500	36,000	3,500	10.8%	$18.83	$753.20	$3,163.44	$37,961.30
Maintenance mechanics	133,000	149,300	16,300	12.3%	$18.63	$745.20	$3,129.84	$37,558.10
Mechanical engineers	24,000	25,800	1,800	7.5%	$41.09	$1,643.60	$6,903.12	$82,837.40
Multi media artists & Animators	27,900	36,800	8,900	31.9%	$38.98	$1,559.20	$6,548.64	$78,583.70
Network administrators	32,400	42,200	9,800	30.2%	$37.67	$1,506.80	$6,328.56	$75,942.70
Network Systems Analysts	28,900	45,900	17,000	58.8%	$37.23	$1,489.20	$6,254.64	$75,055.70
Photographers	13,800	15,900	2,100	15.2%	$22.69	$907.60	$3,811.92	$45,743.00
Production managers	19,400	20,300	900	4.6%	$46.51	$1,860.40	$7,813.68	$93,764.20
Secondary School Teachers	119,100	140,600	21,500	18.1%	$31.52	$1,260.80	$5,295.36	$63,544.30
Structural Steel & Iron Workers	5,100	5,500	400	7.8%	$24.78	$991.20	$4,163.04	$49,956.50
Technical writers	7,200	8,600	1,400	19.4%	$37.20	$1,488.00	$6,249.60	$74,995.20
Welders, Cutters, Solders, & Brazers	31,200	35,400	4,200	13.5%	$17.06	$682.40	$2,866.08	$34,393.00