The problem is not training them, it’s getting them to the schools to be trained. Today’s high school students are not choosing manufacturing as a career choice. Counselors, teachers, parents and people already working in manufacturing are uncomfortable recommending manufacturing as a viable career choice in today’s global business climate.

Let me offer a picture from northeast Ohio. I am a Precision Machining/Manufacturing Technology instructor at a Career-Technical Center in northeast Ohio. Programs have already been closed in the counties to the north and south of me. My enrollment is currently at 2 seniors and 6 juniors. If enrollment falls below 8, the program will be closed, too. Any significant investment in the program to further modernize it can’t be justified. While we are very well equipped, we can’t keep up with the cost of technology changes. If the money was spent to bring the program up to date and make it a more attractive picture for prospective students, I can’t say it would improve enrollment anyway. Negative manufacturing is in the news daily about Delphi and GM Lordstown.

Manufacturing is a bad word around here. If we hope to attract new people to the trade, something must be done to make it look attractive to today’s young people. I service about 400 small manufacturers within a 30-mile radius of our school. I typically receive about 300 requests for trained people per year. I can’t come close to making a dent in that number with 2 students ready to join the workforce.

We recently started an adult training program called Modern Machining Applications, but attendance is still low from the adult sector. Many who are already out of work can’t afford to take the classes. All who are enrolled are placed with more than willing employers. If the high school program is closed, the adult program will likely also close.

Where will training come from, then?

Something needs to happen very soon. Employers need to get involved in the recruiting of young people. They need to let them know that good paying jobs are out there and that manufacturing is not dying. They can start by going to their local high schools and meeting with those who influence decisions made by our young people. Counselors, teachers, parents, their own workforce…

They need to make sure the wages are competitive based on the knowledge and investment in education required to perform their job. Many students opt to go to fast food establishments since they typically pay as well or better than manufacturing is offering, with very little personal responsibility for purchasing tools, etc. to do their job.

NAM has recently launched the “Dream-It Do-It” campaign in northeast Ohio. It is designed to raise awareness about manufacturing careers as a possible career track. It may be too little too late.

Do you wonder why manufacturers are looking to move some or all of their operations overseas? A more-than-willing workforce is there waiting for them. As a society, we are chasing our jobs out of the country due to our lack of involvement in grooming a workforce here. We have the equipment, facilities and expertise to train. What we don’t have is students to train. I need to attract students… and quickly.

When you do get a good candidate at your door step, encourage and support them with the needed training and resources to ger it done. Enroll them in apprenticeships. Provide training opportunities, and encourage them to seek certification through NIMS and MSSC. Enhance their compensation package when they do achieve and improve. Tell young people that there are opportunities. But don’t wait too long. It may already be too late.

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Companies need to cultivate meaningful relationships with their workforce. Develop training programs that reimburse workers for additional related training. Bring in customized training programs that bring the classroom to you. Involve your employees in the decision making process. Respect their ideas, and offer incentive bonuses where it fits. No, this is not opening up the cash vault to the workforce. This investment will show you who is right for your company.

It is so vital to let your employees know what the expectations are of them. Show them the big picture and where you want them to be in five or ten years.

Present a professional image/attitude for them to follow. Invest in making your workers look and feel good. Provide uniforms for all to wear, it’s not a choice — clothes do not make the man, but they make the organization.

A bulletin board with pictures of your employees with the finished product, perhaps a mold or die or machined part. Give them a chance to show that they are proud of what they do. Just think of what a customer would think as he saw that board? It’s not too touchy feely, it is pride and recognition.

Bad apples have to go! It doesn’t matter if their production is strong. Negative undertones in your company can never be tolerated. Take it from me, I worked for a company where all a guy would do is talk about how the company is screwing all of us. He did his work, but after a while he almost got me to believe the company was giving me the shaft. Bring that person in and let them know those actions are grounds for dismissal and stay firm to it. Your key employees will respect you for doing this.

Soon you will be a company people will start talking about and will want to work for you. The pool of quality people will deepen from which you choose from. Remember to keep giving them the reasons to want to work for you. It is perfectly okay and expected to let them know the big three “Faster, Better, Cheaper.” But let them know when they achieve it too. Make it more than a paycheck and they will treat it as more than that. You want me to come in Sunday morning for four hours and set up the CNC mill to run/cut the bottom half of the mold cavity that will be finished on Monday morning? No problem. Why? Because you respect me, I know I am part of the team because you let me know I am, I feel proud to do it and to do my part. I know this will be recognized and appreciated.

Invest in the future and the future will be bright.

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I would like to add one to Cruz’s list.

- Marketing Marketing Marketing

Like anything else, marketing the profession to the high schoolers, make it look attractive and cool to work in manufacturing.

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