There are many young people struggling to decide on their career choices, and some have the aptitude to become the next generation of manufacturers. Unfortunately, they often have misconceptions about the nature of modern machine shops. They may even see them as dead-end jobs with unpleasant working conditions. That’s why it’s important to participate in Career Days and other events that offer the opportunity to give these youngsters these facts:
- Manufacturing is a not a dirty and dangerous job. Today’s modern factories go to great lengths to maintain neat, clean and safe workplaces. Air filtration devices including oil mist collectors help keep the air free of contaminants, while automated work cell safety enclosures keep workers out of harms way. Heavy lifting is handled by robotic arms, overhead cranes or motorized conveying systems, and machine tools are ergonomically designed to protect worker health.
- Operating machine tools takes brains and skill. In truth, operating CNC machine tools requires a number of skills including, math, programming machine controls, understanding Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software, and the ability to think through a machining process to determine the most efficient way to produce a part.
- American manufacturing is alive and well. Gardner Research projects that manufacturers will spend over $7 billion on machine tools this year. Additionally, many companies that moved manufacturing to China, Mexico and other countries are now bringing this work back to the U.S.
- Not everyone in our business is in the factory. Truth is, there are many careers in manufacturing that don’t involve operating machine tools. Service technicians visit customer factories to install, maintain or repair machinery. Applications engineers experiment with various approaches to making parts and products to optimize the processes. While sales engineers help customers solve manufacturing problems.
- American manufacturers need more skilled employees. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 12 million people are currently employed in manufacturing jobs. Even more significant, according to CBS news, there are over 500,000 unfilled positions now available in manufacturing. People with the skills, work ethic and willingness to learn are in demand.
- There are opportunities for advancement. Many manufacturing companies believe in promoting from within and establishing career paths for those who want to advance. That’s how Mary T. Barra, daughter of a factory worker and herself a 30-year General Motors employee, rose steadily in the company to become its CEO in December 2013.
- There is plenty of room for newcomers. While experienced machinists and others are, indeed, in demand many manufacturing companies welcome entry-level employees from technical schools, community colleges and engineering programs. Some have internship programs, apprenticeships and offer reimbursement for additional education.