Manufacturing and Product Development

Manufacturing and Product Development Icon

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

These selected occupations with information on job growth, percent growth and earning potentials are based on information found at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov.

¹Mean: Midpoint between highest & lowest ²Weekly: Based on 40 hours ³Monthly: Based on 168 hours

Employment Data Sheet: 
application/pdf icon
manufactoring-labor.pdf
Brochure: 
application/pdf icon
manufaturing-industry-brochure.pdf

This material is made pursuant to agreement number 07-0170a of the CTE Community Collaborative Supplemental grant. Funds were administered by the Governor’s CTE Initiative SB70/SB 1133 through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Activity that is the subject of this document was supported in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education should be inferred.

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