WASHINGTON—The U.S. manufacturing expansion accelerated in March, driven by gains in production and orders, in the latest sign that the economy is shaking off its winter doldrums and building momentum into the second quarter. The Institute for Supply Management’s index increased to 53.7 from 53.2 a month earlier. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.
WASHINGTON—Jobless claims decreased by 10,000 to 311,000 in the period ended March 22, the fewest since late November, according to the Labor Department. Another report showed the economy grew more rapidly in the fourth quarter than previously estimated as consumer spending rose by the most in three years.
SANTA ROSA, CA—An innovative “job-shadowing” program to train high school students for skilled manufacturing jobs is gaining momentum in its third year. Launched by 101MFG, a trade group focused on boosting California’s manufacturing sector, the program is expecting up to 300 participants this year.
WASHINGTON—More than 50 colleges are now part of the Get Skills to Work Initiative, a coalition of industry, educators, and nonprofit organizations helping veterans discover careers in advanced manufacturing. The partnership includes more than 500 manufacturers, including GE, Boeing, Lockheed and Alcoa.
WASHINGTON—Factory employment jumped 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, more than compensating for losses earlier in the year. The sector’s resurgence in the traditionally strong manufacturing states of the Midwest and Southeast accounted for most of last quarter’s growth. At more than 12 million jobs nationwide, manufacturing employment is now the highest it has been since 2009.
CLEVELAND—Tooling U-SME has introduced a new workforce development resource, called the Competency Framework, that outlines the knowledge and skill objectives for more than 60 manufacturing jobs.
WASHINGTON—Industrial production in the United States rose for a fifth month in December, capping the strongest quarter since 2010 and indicating manufacturing is helping propel the economy. Output at factories, mines and utilities climbed 0.3 percent after a revised 1 percent increase in November, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve.
WASHINGTON—U.S. payrolls rose by 203,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department said Friday. The unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 7 percent, the lowest level in five years.
WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing added 19,000 jobs in October, with job growth occurring primarily in motor vehicles and parts (6,000 jobs), wood products (3,000 jobs), and furniture and related products (3,000 jobs).
MOBILE, AL—The Airbus assembly plant under construction here will be so efficient that it will be able to produce four planes per month operating five days a week, with no nights and weekends.