The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas says manufacturing activity in Texas remained strong in November, despite headwinds ranging from a stronger U.S. dollar, which hurts exports, and the problems caused by Hurricane Harvey, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, fell ten points from its October reading but remained elevated at 15.1," the Dallas Fed said in its report.
Any reading above zero indicates positive growth.
Rey Chavez, who heads the San Antonio Manufacturers Association, tells News Radio 1200 WOAI the report indicates a need for continued efforts to train and educate young people for available high paying manufacturing jobs.
"We are trying to get kids, high school students, junior high students, involved in STEM courses, CTE courses, which can show them there are other options they can pursue, and not have to get a four-year degree," he said.
Chavez says, unlike the assembly lines of the fifties and sixties, today's manufacturing is essentially a high tech shop, more like Google than the General Motors assembly lines shown in vintage movies.
"There is still positive employment activity, which underscores the need to continue to prepare young people for jobs in the robust and largely tech driven economy," he said.
The Dallas Fed says expectations regarding future business conditions remained 'highly optimistic,' based on stronger orders in November.
"The index of future general business activity held steady at 39.0, while the index of future company outlook edged up to 40.8," Fed economists said, highlighting strong manufacturing growth moving into 2018.