Job Ready Workforce and Educational Institutions

Workforce Supports All Aspects of Supply Chain

DIVERSE MANUFACTURING, LOGISTICS, DISTRIBUTION, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND C-SUITE WORKFORCE

4,400+ FIRMS OPERATING WHOLESALE TRADE AND WAREHOUSING

10+ INSTITUTIONS WITH LOGISTICS, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

TRAINING PROVIDERS ENHANCE WORKFORCE SKILLS, PROVIDE FUNDS

Having a robust supply chain goes a long way in making the St. Louis region worthy of consideration for industrial site selection. Just as no supply chain can function well without high quality and accessible modes of transportation as found in the St. Louis region, neither can it without a skilled workforce with the know-how to source, produce, and ship products around the world.

Fortunately, our region boasts more skilled workers employed in manufacturing and supply chain industries than all peer cities in the Midwest – a strength supported by our region’s plentiful logistics and supply chain-based educational opportunities and regional feeder institutions.

The St. Louis region’s talent pool runs notably deep across all aspects of the supply chain, from the shop floor to the research and development lab, to the warehouse, and up through the C-Suite.

 

Occupational employment chart for St. Louis, MSA review production occupations and transportation/material moving occupations. Includes comparison of St. Louis vs Louisville, Kansas City, and Nashville.

All occupations in St. Louis have an annual mean wage of $51,750 and total number of employees equal 1,370,390. All Transportation and Material Moving Occupations have an annual mean wage of $38,100 and total number of employees equal 107,640. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers have an annual mean wage of $101,310 and total number of employees equal 1,230. Logisticians have an annual mean wage of $78,550 and total number of employees equal 2,170. First-Line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers have an annual mean wage of $60,760 and total number of employees equal 3,650. Laborers, Freight Stock, and Material Movers have an annual mean wage of $34,770 and total number of employees equal 25,470. All Production Occupations have an annual mean wage of $42,290 and total number of employees equal 84,560. First Line Supervisor, Production and Operating Worker have an annual mean wage of $66,460 and total number of employees equal 5,710. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators have an annual mean wage of $40,390 and total number of employees equal 8,830. CNC Machine Tool Programmers (Metal and Plastic) have an annual mean wage of $65,850 and total number of employees equal 360. CC Machine Tool Operators (Metal and Plastic) have an annual mean wage of $42,440 and total number of employees equal 2,230. Machinists have an annual mean wage of $50,470 and total number of employees equal 3,560. Helpers/Production Workers have an annual mean wage of $33,140 and total number of employees equal 1,740. A second chart shows a comparison for Total production occupation workers and total transportation and material moving occupations. It shows St. Louis compared to Louisville, Kansas City, and Nashville and St. Louis has the most employees for each sector.

Key Strengths of the St. Louis Regional Workforce

  • The St. Louis region offers a highly skilled and diversified workforce whose core strengths lie in manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and value-added distribution, from the shop floor through the C-Suite. Due to this deep and varied skill base, multiple aspects of any one company’s global supply chain can be better managed and growth opportunities can be generated more effectively from the St. Louis region than any other region in the Country.
  • Our well-educated and experienced workforce provides maximum value to warehousing, distribution, and e-commerce companies, all at a competitive price.
  • This experienced labor pool provides high levels of productivity, exceptional work quality, and safe practices.
  • There are currently more than 4,400 firms operating wholesale trade, transportation, and warehousing operations in the St. Louis region. (US Census Bureau Economic Census 2012)
  • The region’s robust corporate sector in the distribution industry includes such companies as Walgreens, Target.com, Hershey, Whirlpool, and Unilever, among others.
  • Due to our industrial heritage, rich talent pipeline, and continuous innovation, our workforce is highly effective at implementing high-tech manufacturing processes and value-added goods production, making complicated work requiring engineering and technical proficiency in robotics, computing, electronics, laboratory applications, and automation seamless and straightforward.

Occupational Employment &
Wage Estimates

Annual Mean Wage St. Louis MSA

# Workers St. Louis MSA

All Occupations

$51,750

1,370,390

All Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

$38,100

107,640

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

$101,310

1,230

Logisticians

$78,550

2,170

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers

$60,760

3,650

Laborers, Freight Stock, and Material Movers

$34,770

25,470

All Production Occupations

$42,290

84,560

First Line Supervisor, Production and Operating Worker

$66,460

5,710

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators

$40,390

8,830

CNC Machine Tool Programmers (Metal and Plastic)

$65,850

360

CC Machine Tool Operators (Metal and Plastic)

$42,440

2,230

Machinists

$50,470

3,560

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

$43,270

3,080

Helpers/Production Workers

$33,140

1,740

Source: Employment and Wage Estimates, BLS May 2015, Production Occupations, Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

Education

One principle indicator of long-term success within an area is ensuring a robust network of skilled future workers. The St. Louis region has over 55 colleges and universities including 16 discrete degree and certificate opportunities in the manufacturing and transportation/logistics fields offered by six regional universities, along with industry training programs available at several other area colleges.

Fontbonne University

Lindenwood University

Maryville University

St. Louis University

University of Missouri St. Louis

Washington University

Training Incentives & Funding

While boasting a well-educated workforce, the opportunities to learn in an ever-changing, fast-paced world never cease. The St. Louis area has a robust training infrastructure geared toward improving skills of existing manufacturing/distribution workers, with quick and effective adaptation of non-industry workers interested in entering new fields.

Some of the most successful training and education programs for manufacturing careers in the St. Louis region include the following:

Employee Investment Training Program (ETIP)

This Illinois program provides training funds to qualified businesses as part of an Economic Development Incentive Project.

Missouri Works Training

MWT provides funding assistance for Missouri companies in need of worker skills upgrade due to new technologies, new products or processes, relocation, expansion, or competition driving quality or productivity.

Area Career Centers

These one-stop resources located throughout the St. Louis region provide training and employment services including employment pre-screening, recruitment services, short-term training, on the job training, apprenticeships, and specialized training programs.

The U.S. Transportation Command

Headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, The U.S. Transportation Command is the center of all Supply Chain and transportation planning for the U.S. Military around the world, providing a large group of potential logistics professionals for recruitment once they enter the civilian workforce.

Training Providers & Centers of Excellence

The St. Louis area also is rich in local community colleges, technical schools, and centers of excellence that are well equipped to partner with private industry. Major players include:

Center for Workforce Innovation and Labor at St. Louis Community College

This new facility on the STLCC Florissant Valley campus serves more than 500 students annually through innovative workforce programs. CWI is home to:

  • Six aerospace labs
  • Three Technical Training Labs (Programmable Logic Controllers, Industrial Maintenance Training, and Green Technologies and Sustainable Construction)
  • A large equipment lab
  • Three all-purpose classrooms
  • A computer lab, and more

Emerson Center for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing at St. Louis Community College

Also located at STLCC Florissant Valley, the Emerson Center’s focus is to provide associates degrees, certificate programs, and customized training programs to the local manufacturing and engineering workforce.

Southwestern Illinois College

Students enjoy industrial training in state-of-the-art labs in the Illinois cities of Granite City, Belleville, and East St. Louis and also have access to SWIC’s program offerings in the logistics sector. Core programs include:

East Central College Missouri Manufacturing Wins Program

Through Mo Manufacturing Wins, students can earn certificates recognized and endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers. Skill certificates available include:

  • Production
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Welding
  • Machining
  • Transportation and Logistics

Lewis & Clark Community College

With campuses in Edwardsville, East Alton and Godfrey, IL, Lewis & Clark Community College offers adult education classes, community and continuing education programs, online classes, and workforce training. Students can obtain degrees and certificates in base fields such as:

  • Industrial Technology
  • Logistics Management
  • Truck Driver Training
  • Construction Labor
  • Welding Technology

Ranken Technical College

Students at Ranken receive comprehensive instruction and hands-on experience while using up-to-date technology. Degree programs include:

  • Fabrication and Welding Technology
  • Industrial Technology
  • Precision Machining Technology
  • Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  • Facilities Technology