An Analysis of Manufacturing Occupations, Skills Demand, and Graduate Outcomes in Virginia

Using a comprehensive, longitudinal dataset on graduates from Virginia postsecondary institutions, the Virginia Office of Education Economics (VOEE) examined the relationship between higher education and employment in the Manufacturing industry. For each of the top occupational groups in Manufacturing requiring a bachelor’s degree, this report examines the most common occupations, employers, educational programs, colleges and universities, and job skills. The longitudinal nature of the dataset also allows for the analysis of the career pathways of graduates working in these Manufacturing occupations, including the wage progression and occupations of graduates who worked in Manufacturing prior to earning a degree. While only 18% of Manufacturing workers are in occupations that typically require a bachelor's degree, these workers have important jobs in Business and Financial Occupations, Management, Architecture and Engineering, and other occupational groups. This report does not address the 82% of Manufacturing workers in occupations that require less than a bachelor's degree.

Read and download the report here