The lifeline of a community relies heavily on its industrial capabilities, to dish out much needed supplies in every situation. Even in a medieval community, ability to produce food, general and military supplies will allow that community to thrive or die out in the given era.
While the most of the industries in the medieval era relied heavily on handiwork and raw power of an animal or a source, their processes were far from primitive. To achieve a decent quality with said product, one would have to follow tried and true processes, often mixed with part reality and part superstition. To experiment a new process would mean either a great success with a low possibility or a wasted product, making this way extremely expensive.
Predominant branches of this era were mainly on the basic goods needed for a community and often regulated or in possession of higher authorities, such as agriculture or husbandry. This was mainly to have an unshakeable power over the lower classes and often a deterrent to keep people in check. Other goods which beheld luxury properties in the medieval ages, such as blacksmithing, weavery and etc. were also in the jurisdiction of higher ups, though middle classes often had their share of said businesses.
Middle classes often dominated the most other industrial branches, ranging from luxury goods to simple products such as clothing and tools. These families were often well established and even recognized for their quality products, often creating their surname, related to their profession.
Low classes would either had to be content with employment under other classes or risk their small business die out within a generation or two. However, success in creating a business and maintaining it were a keystone for family in question to climb up in the social ladder and even become a predominant player in region’s economy. These families would play a crucial role in nearly the every aspect in industry, from doing menial labor in a farm to smithing king’s or queen’s crown, nicely adorned with inlays, jewels and whatnot.
Employment, most of the time, were a person would born into, due to the hierarchy. The farmer you see on his or her field would most likely been doing it since he or she was able to walk and hold a sickle. To advance in the given field or change of professions would be heavily reliant on your handiwork, intelligence or a rare happenstance that might alter the way of your life.