There is a whole crop of students and young people ready and waiting to start careers in manufacturing, they just need a little push in our direction. Thankfully, the world still recognizes the need and importance of the manufacturing industry (a 2019 US-based survey that discovered that more than 80% of people said the manufacturing industry is pivotal in maintaining their way of life).
In our article today, we will look at ways we can make our industry more attractive to younger students.
Education: The public school system doesn’t seem to give enough attention or provide enough information about manufacturing careers so students can make an educated decision to pursue studies in this career path. More marketing and outreach to schools can help to spark an interest in this career at an earlier age.
On-the-job-training: Training in-house is also an important part of educating students. They get paid to learn in-demand manufacturing skills and get to learn first-hand if it’s right for them.
In-person connections: A simple ad or flyer doesn’t do the job for today’s youth. To stand out in a sea of infinite possible careers today, we need to be present and interact with students at career fairs and in career education programs. Providing shop tours and live demos are another way to show young people the passion we have for manufacturing, and hope that passion rubs off on them.
Mentoring: By providing mentorship and co-op opportunities for students, we’re giving interested students a head start on their career, by providing one-on-one opportunities to learn the craft, perfect their resume, and get the experience they need to excel and advance in the industry.
Work-life balance: Younger generations, perhaps more than ever, place a high value on careers that allow them to have a good balance between work and personal life. Manufacturing jobs and careers that have health benefits, good time-off and vacation policies, and who encourage participation in company social activities will help attract students to these companies.
If you’re interested in a career at Hansen Industries, contact us or visit our careers page for more information.