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Hire Dynamics in the News: Myths About Millennials in Manufacturing

By Hire Dynamics
CATEGORY: Blog, News

Hire Dynamics was recently featured in a piece for Automation World on the subject of hiring Millennials to bridge the skills gap and the best ways to attract them. In “Myths About Millennials in Manufacturing,” CEO Dan Campbell shares how Millennials have misjudged manufacturing careers, and why companies might want to consider inviting these young professionals into their workplaces.

Jobs in manufacturing industries face critical misconceptions today. Tedious work that lacks intellectual stimulation is among the most egregious from those on the outside. Instead, when visiting a U.S. factory floor, one can see any number of specialists operating complex machines to create the newest invention, all while using specific skills and knowledge to maximize efficiency.

Still, because of this stigma, young professionals of the Millennial generation have steered clear of technical schools, having no interest in taking a job in manufacturing. Their parents and society at large have played a role here as learning skilled trades has been waylaid by the promise of riches and repute following a turn at a four-year college or university.

There was a time when a four-year degree spoke for itself, but as more U.S. adults obtain a higher education, what differentiates candidates is now a master’s degree or sufficient experience. But how does one find a job to gain experience in the first place? This catch-22 can be avoided altogether by attending trade school.

There is a mismatch between job openings and skills, according to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, who holds the Ernest L. Arbuckle professorship at Harvard Business School. “Millions of unfilled jobs require more than a high-school diploma but not a college degree—so-called middle-skill jobs, many of which are well-paid (lab technicians, advanced manufacturing specialists, computer programmers).”

Read the full piece “Myths About Millennials in Manufacturing”.