MAINTAINING MAKERS
Manufacturing by the Numbers 429,100 – The number of Florida manufacturing jobs in 2024 $ 74,588 – Annual industry wage for Florida manufacturing jobs $ 64.48 billion – Total output from manufacturing in 2021 10th – Florida ’ s place as one of the nation ’ s largest manufacturing employers
The Road Ahead for L
By 2033 , there will be 3.8 million new manufacturing positions , according to the National Association of Manufacturers .
Nationally , the industry has struggled to fill jobs . This is why key efforts by local organizations such as VMA , First Coast Manufacturers Association and the Nassau County Economic Development Board focus on raising awareness and generating enthusiasm for the industry .
The hope is that with educational outreach programs , the industry , particularly in northeast Florida , will thrive with skilled workers in these roles .
To gain insight into the manufacturing sector along our coast , we interviewed three industry leaders to discuss their perspectives on the future of local manufacturing and the crucial role their organizations play in driving progress .
Lake Ray
First Coast Manufacturers Association ( FCMA ) president
If there ’ s one thing Lake Ray often hears , it ’ s how surprised people are about what ’ s made here in northeast Florida — everything from Pilot pens to bottled Bacardi .
“ Much to everybody ’ s surprise , there are a lot of medical devices made here ,” he says , noting Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson are two of hundreds of manufacturers in the area .
Yet , one of the future challenges Ray and other
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