Atlanta Manufacturing Jobs to Rebound
There could be some hope for those workers looking to secure Atlanta manufacturing jobs.
A monthly survey of companies by Kennesaw State University found that during June, the industry saw an increase in the components that often lead to overall growth, including rises in new orders and production. And although the manufacturing industry still lost jobs during the month, hiring was not as low as during previous months.
“Employment remains … very low relative to the level of new orders and production,” Don Sabbarese, director of the Kennesaw State Econometric Center, said.
According to an article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, if demand for manufacturing throughout Georgia continues to increase, hiring will eventually have to catch up. While the index shows that employment in the industry is still declining, some components actually grew during June.
The index for new orders was 54.5, with 50 marking the dividing line between contraction or expansion. The latest number is more than double the record low of 26.8, which was set during December 2008. Production in June increased by 16 points from the previous month to hit 61.4.
Overall, manufacturing in the United States is only using 64.7 percent of its capacity, the lowest level since World War II. However, when recoveries begin and demand improves, manufacturing has to increase its production toward normal levels, usually higher than 70 percent, causing thousands of workers to return to their jobs.
Currently, manufacturing accounts for about 10 percent of Georgia’s overall workforce. During June, the state’s manufacturing industry employed 360,400 workers, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 361,500 workers during May and a 12.2 percent decrease from last year.
In the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta area, the manufacturing industry employed 149,900 workers during June, down from 150,200 workers during May and an 11.6 percent decrease from last year.
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