The Manufacturing industry sector employs nearly 18,470 people in the NWDB region, accounting for 13% of the region’s total employment of 147,407 jobs. Although the sector has declined over the past five years, losing more than 900 jobs at an average annual rate of -0.1%, it remains a key focus for the workforce system. This is due to the sector’s relatively high wages, broad job accessibility, and potential for job regeneration in more rural areas of the region.

Within the sector, the largest occupations include Stockers and Order Fillers (4,624 jobs), Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (2,804 jobs), Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers by hand (1,445 jobs), and Light Truck Drivers (1,044 jobs). Other in-demand roles include Team Assemblers (645 jobs), School Bus Drivers (503), Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (500), and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers (492).

Although total employment in manufacturing is projected to decline, replacement demand driven by retirements and workforce exits is expected to create 21,177 job openings in the sector over the next ten years.