By Mary Ann Pacelli, NIST MEP Workforce Development Manager
A key recruiting challenge for the prospective Millennial may be an outdated image of manufacturing careers from popular culture and possibly even their parents. Manufacturing today is increasingly digital and innovative. Companies looking to recruit these younger workers must actively strive to prove that they value high technology and creativity as much as Millennials do. Using visuals along with real life stories and experiences to more accurately convey manufacturing careers via digital channels is an integral part of this process. Many manufacturing plants are now innovative, technologically savvy and dare I say, cool?
Manufacturers must also connect messages to the values, needs and goals of Millennials. When it comes to careers, the many Millennials are interested in three key areas:
- Quality of life
- Positive impact on society
- Future growth, education, and financial worth
With these ideals in mind, companies can highlight how manufacturing careers pay well with advancement opportunities, offer a nice work-life balance, provide job security, and make a positive impact on local jobs and communities.
And of course, most Millennials thrive with technology. Manufacturers need to look around the plant, make the move to update your processes and utilize new technology so you really are ‘cool’. This generation will be able to help you improve and grow, if you have the right tools for them to capitalize on.
As an industry, manufacturers should embrace the communication tools that millennials heavily rely on such as social media, blogs, and digital platforms in general, to continuously demonstrate that manufacturing careers do actually connect with those three key areas.
We have to also focus on embracing diversity. Women and minority communities are underrepresented in manufacturing. For example, less than one-third of manufacturing workers are women. There is untapped potential waiting to be included in the ‘New Manufacturing’.
Multiple Career Paths
A point that often gets lost in translation is the wide array of career opportunities in manufacturing. And just as important, there are career options for young adults at all educational levels. Some examples include:
Bachelor’s Degree
- Biochemists
- Human Resources
- Industrial Engineers
- Operations Managers
- Computer Programming & IT
- Production Managers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Researchers
- Sales & Marketing
Associate’s Degree
- Equipment Maintenance Technicians
- Engineering Technicians
- Semiconductor Processors
High School Diploma Plus Apprenticeship or Certificate Program
- Assemblers
- First-Line Supervisors
- Inspectors
- Machinists
- Office Clerks
- Shipping & Receiving
- Tool Operators
- Welders & Cutters
All generations are unique, with different communication methods and values – millennials are no different. By evolving how we communicate with younger adults, we can better identify the best potential employees and create the next generation of manufacturing workers.
Post originally appeared here
Mary Ann Pacelli is NIST MEP’S Workforce Development Manager. Her work includes advocating for manufacturing workforce priorities with related federal agencies and providing 
technical support to the network of MEP centers across the country for workforce related activities. Previously she was Assistant Director for Workforce and Talent Development at MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network), an Ohio MEP affiliate center.