How will our current economic environment affect manufacturing jobs?
The current economic signs are very positive. The Q4 2011 GDP has been adjusted to 3 on the plus side. The Manufacturing Index is still over 52. I even read a report that the unemployment rate may hit 6% in the not-too-distant future.
Of course, our fluid power industry is showing great strength as reported here recently. The second half of 2012 looks very strong for our industry.
What does this imply for the near-term future for manufacturing jobs? My guess is that the job market will continue to improve but with all of the "smart manufacturing" now available, the increase may not be as strong as it would have been in the labor-intensive manufacturing years.
What do you think?
