Tennessee Gains Manufacturing Jobs

Tennessee manufacturing employment inched up for a sixth straight year, according to new data collected by Manufacturers' News Inc. (MNI). MNI reports the state added 3,251 jobs over the past year, a 1 percent increase, and is now home to 6,517 manufacturers employing 382,972 people. Manufacturing employment in Tennessee has grown at a steady clip over the past six years, rising 5 percent since October 2011.

"Tennessee’s pro-business environment and generous incentive programs have helped attract a great deal of foreign investment, and existing manufacturers are generally thriving," said Tom Dubin, MNI president. "However, Tennessee’s post-recession growth has largely been based on the auto industry, which now shows signs of slowing, while competition with neighboring states continues to be tough."

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Jobs market: Labor shortage means longer hours but more cash for workers

In a survey by the National Association of Manufacturers late last year, 73% of manufacturers said attracting and retaining a quality workforce was a chief business challenge. Two-thirds said they were responding by giving more work to existing employees. There are other remedies, including hiring temporary workers, installing robots and partnering with schools to develop a new generation of employees. But, “the short-term response is to keep giving workers a lot of overtime,” says Denise Rice, director of the Tennessee Manufacturers Association.

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Finding workers for today's jobs is biggest challenge for most employers

Surveys by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry show that the labor shortage is now the biggest business concern and likely to remain so for years to come.

"As I travel across the state, different regions have different needs," says Denise Rice, director of the Tennessee Manufacturers Association. "But the one thing that I hear that is consistent everywhere is the concern over the skills gap and the challenge of getting a qualified workforce. I think this problem is at an all-time high and this is not a short-term problem."

Unemployment in metro Chattanooga peaked at 10.2 percent in June 2009 but fell to as low as 3.2 percent by last fall, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Growing need in manufacturing - Larger skilled workforce urged by TMA director

The director of the Tennessee Manufacturing Association said Tuesday that Bradley County is in the top tier of counties when it comes to manufacturing, while emphasizing the need for workforce development.

Denise Rice was the keynote speaker for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce's annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon Tuesday afternoon held at the Cleveland Country Club.

"I feel like I am home," Rice said.

Rice said 75 percent of U.S. manufacturers are experiencing a moderate to severe shortage of workers, and 93 percent are predicting future talent shortages.

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Manufacturing wants Corker's budget vote

“The truth of the matter is our current tax code lets other countries win. … It’s about jobs, it’s about paychecks, it’s about higher standards of living,” Timmons told reporters.

But Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said repatriated cash from overseas wouldn’t likely boost private investment.

Jackson said manufacturing employs about 340,000 people in Tennessee.

“This is a great opportunity for Tennessee,” Jackson said of the budget resolution vote. “Manufacturing is a tremendous economic driver for us. … A healthy manufacturing economy benefits the state.”

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Williamson County school children attend Manufacturing Day event, tour local business plants

A group of 40 Fairview Middle School students congregated inside the Horn USA plant on Friday as part of an event to celebrate Manufacturing Day.

A total of 180 students from Page High School, Fairview middle and high schools and Summit High School participated in the event hosted by the Williamson County, Inc. Chamber of Commerce.

Manufacturing Day, according to the official website, occurs on Oct. 6 and is meant to celebrate modern manufacturing and to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

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