Manufacturing job growth stronger than one year ago

Overall U.S. employment growth was strong in February for the manufacturing sector as employers filled open positions. Manufacturing growth is stronger than this time last year, and data indicates March employment growth will be even greater than February. The findings are reported in February's Leading Indicator of National Employment (LINE™), a collaborative effort between the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations.

Manufacturing employment climbed substantially due to seasonal hiring with nearly 46 percent of employers hiring new workers. Manufacturers primarily are hiring exempt employees; however, nonexempt employment grew also. The strong growth is expected to last because employers reported an increase in the number of new positions for which they are currently recruiting. The number of vacant positions in manufacturing is higher than a year ago and at its highest level since September 2004.

The LINE data also indicates that it is getting increasingly difficult for manufacturers to recruit skilled candidates; however, there is no indication that it is having any effect on new-hire compensation. Employment expectations for the next 30 days are much higher than a year ago, and the February LINE report shows more than 55 percent of manufacturers planning to hire for vacant positions in the coming month.

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