Metal and Plastic Machine Workers Job Outlook – Career Education

ResumeSanta.com Metal and Plastic Machine Workers Job Outlook – Career Education. Employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment will be affected by advances in technology, changing demand for the goods these workers produce, foreign competition, and the reorganization of production processes. One of the most important factors influencing employment growth in these occupations is the use of labor-saving machinery. Many firms are adopting new technologies, such as computer-controlled machine tools and robots, to improve quality, lower production costs, and remain competitive. The switch to computer-controlled machinery requires computer programmers instead of machine setters, operators, and tenders. The lower-skilled manual machine tool operator and tender jobs are more likely to be eliminated by these new technologies because the computer-controlled machinery does the work more effectively. The demand for metal and plastic machine workers also is affected by the demand for the parts they produce. Both the plastic and metal manufacturing industries face stiff foreign competition that is limiting the orders for parts produced in this country. Some US manufacturers have recently sent their production to foreign countries, limiting jobs for machine setters and operators. Job Prospects Despite slower than average employment growth, a number of these jobs are expected to …

Career Search Despite the abundance of plastics and other materials, wood products continue to be useful and popular. Woodworkers help to meet the demand for wood products by creating finished products from lumber. Many of these products are mass produced, such as many types of furniture, kitchen cabinets, and musical instruments. Other products are crafted in small shops that make architectural woodwork, handmade furniture, and other specialty items. Many woodworkers use computerized numerical control (CNC) machines to operate factory tools. Using these machines, woodworkers can create complex designs with fewer human steps. This technology has raised worker productivity by allowing one operator to simultaneously tend a greater number of machines. The integration of computers with equipment has improved production speed and capability, simplified setup and maintenance requirements, and increased the demand for workers with computer skills. Woodworking machine operators and tenders set up, operate, or tend specific woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood-nailing machines. New operators may simply press a switch on a woodworking machine and monitor the automatic operation, but more highly skilled operators set up the equipment, cut and shape wooden parts, and verify dimensions using a template, caliper, or rule. Work environment. Working conditions vary by industry and specific job duties. In logging and sawmills …
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