Expansion Management

Don't Look to Manufacturing to Solve Job Crisis

Jan. 14, 2012

In a very interesting article in the WSJ yesterday, David Wessel calls for some caution as everyone rejoices in the better numbers out of the manufacturing sector. He points out that while manufacturing has added 334,000 in the past two years, that will ...

Adrienne Selko Blog

In a very interesting article in the WSJ yesterday, David Wessel calls for some caution as everyone rejoices in the better numbers out of the manufacturing sector.

He points out that while manufacturing has added 334,000 in the past two years, that will not make up for the 2.3 million jobs it lost 4 years ago.

Labor economist, Lawrence Katz at Harvard agrees saying that ' just as we don't expect to restore agriculture as our primary source of employment, the same is true for manufacturing."

The good news is that wages for manufacturing jobs have increased 9.9% since 2001.

While these jobs require more brain power than before, Wessel explains, they won't be the "ticket to middle class for unskilled workers who haven't gone beyond high school."

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

Email: [email protected]

Follow Adrienne on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Call: 216-931-9235

Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.