June 29, 2026
The Manufacturing Institute (MI) reported that, in January, manufacturing job openings rose by 69,000 to 495,000, the most recent data available at the time of writing. This level exceeds the prepandemic (2017–2019) average of 432,000, as well as the averages recorded in 2024 and 2025.
Within that total, nondurable goods job openings increased by 16,000 to 155,000, while durable goods openings climbed by 53,000 to 340,000. The manufacturing job openings rate rose to 3.8%, up from 3.3% in December and 3.4% one year earlier.
The broader economy reflected a similar trend. Job openings reached 6.9 million in January, up 396,000 from the previous month, though still down 485,000 year over year.
At the same time, hiring activity in manufacturing remains subdued. The hires rate edged up just 0.1% to 2.3%, still near the 10-year low of 2.1%. The separations rate also dipped slightly to 2.3%, down from 2.6% a year earlier. Within that figure, layoffs and discharges rose modestly by 7,000, while quits declined by 18,000.
Taken together, these metrics reinforce a consistent pattern: Compared to the broader nonfarm sector, manufacturing continues to operate in a “low-fire, low-hire” environment.
More recent federal labor data from March supports a cautiously improving outlook. Manufacturing added 15,000 jobs during the month—a 400% increase year over year—despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including the impact of the Iran war.
The takeaway is clear: Demand for talent persists, but hiring and turnover trends point to a more deliberate approach. Manufacturers are prioritizing retention and measured growth over rapid expansion. The challenge is no longer simply filling open roles but ensuring that employees have the skills needed to keep pace with rapid technological and operational change—the right people in the right seats.
For many AICC members, this is not a new realization. Over the past decade, independent converters have invested heavily in advanced equipment and systems, increasing both efficiency and complexity on the plant floor. As a result, the emphasis has shifted toward hiring the right individuals and providing structured, ongoing training from day one.
AICC has supported this evolution, most notably through the launch of Packaging University in 2017 and its continued growth into a comprehensive online platform offering nine colleges of study and more than 150 courses.
Although hard data on retention within AICC membership is limited, anecdotal evidence suggests it is strong. Frequent recognition of employee milestone anniversaries on social media, along with firsthand observations during member plant visits, point to a workforce culture built on engagement, continuity, and mutual respect between leadership and team members.
The formula is simple: Invest in your people as deliberately as you invest in your equipment, and the results will follow.
Michael D’Angelo
AICC President
