Factory Jobs Are Tough AF... Why Do We Want Them Back So Badly?

Offshoring, automation and a shift towards service jobs have all played a part in killing manufacturing jobs. The number of people actually making stuff for a living is down by over a third, in the same time the workforce as a whole has grown by 50%. Not too long ago, this was actually seen as positive progress. Blue‑collar manufacturing jobs are dangerous, harder on your body, and all around seen as inferior to working in a nice air‑conditioned office contributing to the all‑encompassing “service sector”. But that’s all started to change… People have realised that manufacturing jobs can earn more than white‑collar work, and it’s become a desirable career all over again. Elections are being won or lost on the promise of “creating” manufacturing jobs and billions of dollars are being handed out to companies to make it happen. But the trend is not our friend, and fighting it might end up doing more harm than good. These are still incredibly difficult jobs with a very uncertain future. So why are we all suddenly yearning for the lines?