Demand for employment in this sector in the region has remained steady in the census period 2001 to 2006 with a 0.1% increase. Current economic conditions are having an impact in the sector as forest products struggle to find export markets, engineering margins and markets contract and firms make decisions about the level of maintenance work they carry out. Longer term, there are opportunities for growth as these industries recover.

At a national level, forecasts for growth within the sector recognize that employment in this sector has fluctuated considerably from 1990 to 2008. In the long term, employment is expected to continue to decline overall. Food product, beverage, wood and paper pulp have slight growth projections, while metal product and machinery manufacturing are projected to decline. These projections do not take the current global economic crisis into account.

Key employment in this sector in the region is in food product, beverage, wood, pulp, paper, converted paper, primary metal, metal, fabricated metal, machinery and equipment manufacturing.

This industry has 36.3% of its workforce aged 45 years and over.
76.5% of the workforce is male.
87.2% of the workforce is in full time work.
The majority of manufacturing enterprises within the region have less than 20 employees.

Likely future workforce picture:
Little growth in demand. Based on steady demand from 2001 to 2006 few additional jobs may be added to this sector in the next 5 years unless additional markets are found. Renewable energy may contribute although large projects may be carried out elsewhere. An increase in meat processing may lead to job growth in that area to offset losses in other areas.