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Even as the COVID-19 Pandemic Continues, the Central Texas Manufacturing Economy Remains Healthy and Ready to Hire More Employees

AUSTIN, Texas — October 06, 2020 — Local manufacturers are weathering the pandemic well and are seeking workers now. Hiring is expected to increase through the fourth quarter and well into early 2021.

In September, the Austin Regional Manufacturing Association (ARMA) conducted a survey among the 1700 manufacturers in the region to assess the state of local industry. With the Texas unemployment rate hovering at 6.8% and Austin at 5.5%, manufacturers reportedly are looking to hire across many disciplines, including assemblers, operators, technicians, engineers, sales, supervisors, chemists, welders, delivery drivers, marketing and more.

Highlights from the survey include:

• 86% maintained their workforce during the pandemic or expanded
• 66% plan on hiring in Q4.
• Almost 85% said their business is stable or expanding.

Another point that emerged from the survey was that most manufacturers have significant concern about long term recruiting challenges. As major manufacturers move into the region more than half of respondents anticipate having a difficult time finding qualified, technical or skilled talent as well as entry level workers.

See full results here

ARMA is focused on expanding the workforce pipeline to ensure manufacturers, a critical economic driver, have the talent they need to grow. Recent initiatives include launching a manufacturing academy with Austin Community College, establishing rapid training programs with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, and convening an industry partnership to solve problems together.

ARMA is a 501C6 dedicated to strengthening the manufacturing community through advocacy, workforce development, and networking. There are more than 1700 manufacturers in the Austin Round Rock area making some of the most advanced products in the world, including electronics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and an array of high-end parts. The average wage is $93,000 a year for manufacturing jobs in Austin.