Washington, D.C. – Factories gained 26,000 jobs in September, according to new figures released on Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fabricated metal products saw 8,000 new jobs, machinery gained 6,000, and printing and related activities reported 4,000 new jobs.
But motor vehicles and parts lost 6,000 jobs last month, and manufacturing remains down 353,000 jobs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020.
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:
“It’s great to see factories posting job gains as manufacturers respond to booming demand. But serious challenges remain. Decades of offshoring have contributed to ongoing supply chain shortages that continue to hinder growth and have forced some factories to go idle, particularly in the auto sector.
“The good news is that the United States has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take concrete steps to strengthen domestic manufacturing and rebuild critical supply chains, from semiconductors to face masks to batteries to solar panels. Doing so will chart a course for a stronger future and create millions of new, well-paid jobs along the way.
“It’s time to put an industrial policy in place to supercharge domestic manufacturing and grow supply chains. We also need to enforce our trade laws to ensure a level playing field for American workers and manufacturers.
“And all of this work starts with finally passing desperately needed infrastructure investment. Congress should act without delay.”
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