Manufacturing is the physical or chemical transformation of materials and components into new, finished products whether the work is done by hand or by machine.
It is the second largest industry in the Australian economy, with more than one in ten Australian workers, or 1,061,500 people, employed in the industry,
There is a very broad range of job roles within manufacturing including furniture and cabinet makers, glassblowing, costume and prop makers, and seafood and meat processors just to name a few.
The main areas of manufacturing can be broken down to:
- Food manufacturing
- Textiles, Clothing, Footwear and Leather
- Metals
- Printing and paper
- Furniture and Cabinet making
- Machinery and equipment
- Petroleum, Coal, Chemical and associated products
The strongest growth has been reported in clothing and footwear, furniture, paper and transport equipment manufacturing according to the June 2007 Australian Industry Group / Pricewaterhouse Coopers Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).
SPOTLIGHT: What careers are there?
Printing - The Guttenberg printing press revolutionised the way the world communicates and today printers use sophisticated computer-based machinery to print everything from books, brochures, newspapers, magazines, food and product packaging. A career in printing suits people who are mechanically-minded, interested in digital technology, practical and like hands-on work in a creative environment.
Polymer technology - These technicians control the operation of machinery which manufactures or finishes plastic, rubber or cablemaking products by injection moulding, blow moulding, hand fabrication, extrusion, hand lay-up, calendering and other processes.
Upholstery - Upholsterers have been described as the plastic surgeon of the furniture industry. They repair, cover or rebuild furniture with fabric or other material. They can specialise in anything from restoring genuine antiques or custom-building furniture for special purposes such as for use in hotels, ships and airports.
WHERE DO PEOPLE IN THIS INDUSTRY WORK?
- Manufacturing companies
- Major producers of consumer brands
- Production plants and workshops
- Factories and labs
- For themselves
SOURCES
ABS Year Book Australia, 2007; Careers Advice Australia; Geoscience Australia; Mining Atlas of Australia.
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