Manufacturers Need to Change Their Image to Attract the Right Employees

It's no secret that the manufacturing industry struggles with talent shortages. Surges in technology use have left manufacturing firms scrambling for qualified workers to operate machinery and equipment, as an estimated 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will have opened between 2015 and 2025. Image changes are the key to attracting employees who are willing and able to enhance productivity, operations and profits.

Transforming the Face of Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry has long faced challenges with image and branding. Far too often, the industry is viewed as a workforce consisting of assembly line workers putting forth long hours of manual labor on archaic machinery. This is far from the truth. Technology has transformed how factories and manufacturing companies operate with the incorporation of 3D printing and computer-operated equipment. As an employer, it's up to you to change the face of your company. When recruiting talent, showcase your technology to appeal to computer-savvy candidates, highlight the advancements of your business and better brand yourself as an innovative place to work.

Changing Perceptions Through Education

Spark the interest of qualified and skilled workers and boost your recruitment efforts by getting involved in the community. Try hosting workshops and seminars that detail your processes and operations for recent college graduates, or visit local colleges and universities to display the innovative technology your facilities employ. Offering free instructional materials and training programs for individuals seeking to enter the manufacturing industry attracts employees who might not otherwise think they can achieve qualification. Get the public involved while offering much-needed education about your business, your brand, your image and the industry.

Showcasing Young Talent

In order to boost your recruiting efforts and attract qualified candidates to the manufacturing industry, showcase the talent you already have on board. For example, General Electric launched an ad series highlighting the millennials contributing to the company's 'Digital Industrial' efforts. The company broadcast this rebranding effort on social media platforms and late-night television to stir interest in their job openings in the manufacturing sector. By expanding its efforts to include Snapchat and YouTube, General Electric attracted a younger generation to positions often erroneously thought to be reserved for older workers.

Appealing to the Technology Industry

Expand your recruiting efforts by appealing to students interested in STEM-related careers. Software developers might not see the potential of earning a lucrative salary in the manufacturing industry if they still hold preconceived beliefs about manufacturing firms. Showcase the types of positions available and communicate transferrable skills from other industries to boost your talent pool.

Recruiting talent in the manufacturing industry relies heavily on a company's ability to change its image. Focus your efforts on advancements in technology and skills utilized to meet difficult recruitment goals and help fill empty positions.

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