New Tactics for Better Manufacturing Recruiting
“Today’s high-tech manufacturing jobs require employees to be computer savvy, able to multi-task, and able to transfer seamlessly between production processes. Recruiters for these manufacturing jobs thus need to revamp their mentality and methods in attempting to fill these positions” writes Michelle Benjamin for ThomasNet News. The article gives several tips for reaching high-potential, qualified candidates. Where is your talent pool? Today’s manufacturing jobs are high-tech, STEM heavy. If you do not already have a relationship or partnership with local community colleges and technical programs, you should. This is a great opportunity to not only interact with potential candidates right…
Solving the Skills Gap – MN Public-Private Partnerships
In February’s blog post Minnesota Manufacturing and Education we highlighted several examples of how Minnesota manufacturers, organizations and college and technical programs are working together to educate the future manufacturing work-force. Today, let’s take a look at a northern Minnesota example in Bemidji. Featured on MPR and in a recent Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association journal is the public-private partnership of Northwest Technical College, Bemidji State, the Department of Employment and Economic Development and TEAM Industries as well as other regional manufacturers. It formed to educate potential and current employees through the Minnesota Innovation Institute. “As the manufacturing industry moves into…
Increasing Your Referrals: “Friends of the Firm”
How often have you been forwarded a new job opening from a friend asking if you “know of anyone good”? This is happening more often as leaders with positions to fill turn to trusted, well-respective professional and industry friends, family and vendors to help fill positions in today’s tight hiring environment. A recent article on recruiting resource site ERE by Dr. John Sullivan calls this “Friends of the Firm Referrals”. Employee referral programs have been a mainstay for years, but non-employees can also be a valuable source. Dr. Sullivan writes of the benefits of recognizing this recruiting channel and gives…
The Importance of an Applicant’s “Ability to Learn”
Making high-quality hires is always important but seldom more so than during “start-ups” when every hire will likely “define” the position for years to come. The most successful of these workplaces also put the highest premium on an applicant’s “ability to learn.” The best way to determine if someone actually can learn pertinent job skills and knowledge is to observe them in action (ex. watch them draw a straight bead using MIG or TIG welding). In addition, these companies instituted rigorous formal programs such as: pre-hire training, pay-for-knowledge programs, pay-for-skill programs, internships and apprenticeship programs (both external and internal). Such…
Perspectives: Fundamentals of Good Hiring
Costs associated with making a bad hire are considerable. Put the right person in the right place at the right time and your problems melt away. You can also quickly put your organization on track towards realizing its strategic objectives. Doing this well, however, requires building a customized plan and then deliberately executing that plan. Effective hiring should never be left to chance. Improve results by designing a series of activities and tools that collect and evaluate job-related information from individuals and can be used to extend an offer of employment. There are several hallmarks of good hiring plans. Include…
Manufacturing and the Millennial Generation
Every day for the next 19 years 10,000 Baby Boomers will reach 65, reports Industry Week, and by just 2015 millennials will be nearly 50% of the employees worldwide. As your own workforce has started to retire and we face a tighter market for skilled labor, we too in manufacturing see the need to attract millennials. How do we make sure our company is attractive to the millennial generation and is relevant to their job and career expectations? Fast Company reports, “Businesses that want to attract millennials need to emphasize their innovative ways and positive societal impacts.” According to a…