The port of Detroit, Michigan is home to seven of the world's largest auto manufacturers, so naturally many local jobs are in the fields of trade, transportation, distribution, and manufacturing. To help fill employers' needs, Detroit trade schools offer diploma, certificate, and degree programs focused on training an exemplary work force. Cars, however, are not Detroit's only industry. Employers are always looking for workers skilled in the areas of information technology, health services, and recreation and leisure. Courses at a Detroit technical school or vocational school prepare you to enter one of these growing fields. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites May 2008 job figures for these Detroit employment sectors:
- Education and Health Services. 123,700 jobs
- Leisure and Hospitality. 78,800 jobs
- Manufacturing. 67,900 jobs
- Professional and Business Services. 106,700 jobs
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities. 138,100 jobs
Detroit, Michigan's Economy and Jobs
The Detroit metropolitan area, home to more than 4 million people, is a major international port on the Great Lakes. Obviously, jobs in shipping, manufacturing (especially auto manufacturing), trade, and transportation make up a large part of Detroit's employment. The city has also attracted a number of large information technology firms. CNN.com estimates that median family income in Detroit was $43,726 in 2008; BLS cites the following median hourly wages for specific Detroit jobs in 2008:
- Air Traffic Controllers at $58.62
- Environmental Engineers at $38.40
- Industrial Engineers at $40.55
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics at $27.33
- Metal Workers and Plastic Workers at $29.05
- Occupational Therapist Assistants at $26.60
Casino gaming has become important to Detroit's economy; the city boasts several large gaming resorts, which is unusual in cities of this size, and jobs in hospitality and recreation are on the rise. No matter where your interest lies, Detroit trade schools can prepare you for the job of your dreams.
