Manufacturing Week 2020

All this week, Louisiana has been celebrating an industry that produces approximately $50 billion in gross state product, or about $1 of every $5 that turns over each year in the state’s economy. Louisiana Economic Development said in a press release that the manufacturing industry represents more than 2,800 companies across the state. It is a vibrant, dynamic industry that helps power the entire state.

In the first quarter of 2020 Jefferson Parish was home to over 400 manufacturing companies. This industry employs nearly 9,000 people and offers an average wage of $63,310. There are many types of jobs that help power the manufacturing industry. Over 48% of these jobs are in production. Skilled workers such as welders, cutters, solderers, machinists, team assemblers, builders, and maintenance and repair employees are in high-demand.

The  JEDCO team works hard to raise awareness about the kinds of high-paying, high-demand, skilled jobs that are needed in our community. It is important for the next generation of employees to know their options. That’s why Jefferson Parish Schools offers a pathway to these kinds of careers early through their Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which provides students with hands-on job training. Delgado Community College opened the River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center at Churchill Technology and Business Park a few years ago. The college offers certificates and accelerated training welding, pipefitting, small industrial electrical and so much more. Delgado also offers the Mechatronics Apprenticeship Training Program, which provides a combination of in-class education mixed with on-the-job training at local manufacturing facilities, including Laitram and Zatarain’s.

Last year, JEDCO launched the Jefferson Parish Pulse powered by JEDCO, a podcast designed to highlight and elevate the businesses and industries that are at the heart of the Jefferson Parish economy. We launched our first season during Manufacturing Week 2019 and interviewed a variety of manufacturers about their experiences in Jefferson Parish. You can check out those episodes links below.

Boscoli Family Foods
Southern Hotrod
Computrols
Poof Cotton Candy
Joval Manufacturing
Orleans Coffee
Cornerstone
Laitram + Intralox
Oracle Lighting

The manufacturing industry in Jefferson Parish is vital to our economy. We are proud to be home to so many amazing companies that create products found in our homes – and homes across the country.

For for more information about Louisiana Manufacturing Week, click here. We also encourage you to check out  Manufacturing Day 2020 and Creators Wanted, the national campaign to fill  4.6 million jobs at manufacturing facilities across the United States by 2028. For more details about the manufacturing industry in Louisiana, visit the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana,  or MEPOL, here.

#MFGDay2020

***All data about the manufacturing industry in Jefferson Parish was provided by JobsEQ***