This diverse career cluster prepares learners for careers in planning, managing and performing and processing of materials into intermediate or final products. Careers also include related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing/process engineering.
There are two major types of manufacturing plants, plastics and metalworking industries. These plants often employ fabricators, welders, and machine operators, setters and tenders. Many of these positions use skills learned on the job or require basic certifications. Manufacturing companies also will employ many business managers, engineers, drafters, engineering technicians and computer programmers. This career cluster also includes a number of technical jobs in the printing and publications industry, such as press operators and precision photographic processors.
Depending on the pathway chosen, students may have opportunities to design and assemble products ranging from huge earth-moving equipment to the microminiature parts of an electronic instrument. Besides management positions, jobs include scientific, engineering, technical, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled work.
There are six pathways in the Advanced Manufacturing Career Cluster:
Students entering manufacturing and processing occupations have a variety of educational backgrounds, but in general, must have strong mathematical and communication skills as well as, technical skills, and physical stamina.
Students who want to pursue any of these career pathways should investigate the following Cincinnati Public Schools' schools:
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies prepares students for tomorrow's manufacturing jobs based in technology and electronics — cars, computers, cell phones and appliances.
This hands-on, computer-based program introduces students to a manufacturing environment with a focus on pre-engineering. Students are involved in product development, including specification of materials and processes, computer-aided design (CAD) and precision machining using computer numerical control (CNC) applications. They manufacture actual products in one of four labs designed for various phases of the setup, monitoring, planning and execution of manufacturing tasks.
Students may earn advance college credit in engineering technology with successful completion of certain course requirements.
From cars to compact discs, from interstate highways to the Internet, from medical imaging to microwaves, and from space exploration to satellite television systems, the 21st century presents a wide range of opportunities for aspiring engineers.
Western Hills Design Technology High School offers a pre-engineering program with a project-based curriculum that introduces students to the fascinating field of engineering. Students put learning into practice by developing creative problem-solving skills and working on design projects.
Students gain a strong academic foundation that prepares them for high-school graduation, college and careers in such engineering areas as design, computer, mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical and aeronautical.