Why Consider a Career in Manufacturing? Here’s What Manufacturing Workers Say
If you work in the manufacturing industry or are involved in training the next generation of workers, there’s one fact you’re well aware of: manufacturing needs more highly skilled workers. The “skills gap” problem has existed for years and continues today. Modern manufacturers simply cannot find enough highly skilled workers to fill their open positions.
Why are skilled workers so hard to find? There are a variety of reasons, but a key factor that employers and instructors repeatedly point out is that manufacturing continues to suffer from an ongoing image problem. Most students today still don’t understand what it means to work in a manufacturing facility.
Many students equate manufacturing with working in a dark, hot, dirty factory doing mind-numbing, repetitive tasks for low pay. In reality, today’s manufacturing facilities tend to offer high pay in comfortable facilities that present challenging opportunities.
To help combat the manufacturing image problem, Industry Week recently interviewed manufacturing workers as part of their Manufacturing Day 2023 celebrations. They asked workers what it was about their jobs that made them love manufacturing. In a recent Industry Week article by Jill Lusko, the author highlights some of the responses:
- Rahul Katkar from Flex Ltd.: “The part I love the most about manufacturing is you get to play with a lot of cutting edge, cool technologies. And get to use them very hands-on in the field. Also, manufacturing works like a very big machinery that involves multiple moving parts simultaneously. Hence, it requires you to think holistically and apply engineering first principles to design systems for desired outputs.”
- Tracy Rhodes from Sandvik Coromant: “Manufacturing offers unlimited career opportunities, from entry level to the top-level executives. This is a state-of-the-art industry that will take you as far as your imagination will carry you.”
- Keith Bauer from Designatronics: “I pursued a career in manufacturing for several reasons. First and foremost, I have always been fascinated by the process of creating tangible products. Manufacturing allows me to be a part of the entire product lifecycle, from design and development to production and distribution. It’s incredibly rewarding to see something go from concept to reality. Additionally, the manufacturing industry offers a wide range of opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. It is constantly evolving technologies and techniques that can be applied to improve efficiency and enhance product quality. This dynamic environment keeps me engaged and motivated.”
- Michael Kretzmer from The Raymond Corporation: “What I love about manufacturing is the constant challenge it presents, both to myself and to others on the team. Every single day offers an opportunity to tackle a new problem and make a meaningful and positive impact. By the end of the day, you can see the tangible results of your efforts. In my case, it might mean witnessing 100 completed forklifts ready to be shipped to our customers. It’s incredibly satisfying to work hard and then see the concrete results of all that effort. There’s something truly special about that.”
- Laura Burkholder from Red Lion Controls: “There’s a lot of money to be made in manufacturing, and manufacturers are investing in their employees like never before. At Red Lion Controls we have tuition reimbursement, opportunities to earn certifications, leadership development training, as well as access to online learning. An entry level position at Red Lion Controls is just the beginning of your future career. Take advantage of those opportunities, try a few things out and choose the right path for your future career.”
If you want to motivate the next generation of manufacturing workers, share some of these insights with them. You can also encourage students to explore manufacturing as a career by introducing them to some of the technologies revolutionizing manufacturing today. Training students in the latest technologies to prepare them for high-paying manufacturing jobs is essential to closing the skills gap.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert at training to implement a new program. The experts at Amatrol have been working hand-in-hand with industry and educational institutions for years to design training programs featuring eLearning curriculum and hands-on experience with trainers equipped with industrial components workers will encounter on the job.
Visit Amatrol online to learn more about its high school programs, such as IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 Fundamentals (I4F). For more information about how Amatrol can help you inspire and train the next generation of workers, contact an expert at Amatrol today!
