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
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
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
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
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 |