With Minnesota experiencing a 4.6% unemployment rate, according to Twin Cities Business, the labor market is tight. As a manufacturer with high demand for products and a workforce edging closer and closer to retirement age, you are not only concerned about finding employees to keep the day-to-day operations going, but also employees who can be future leaders and keep the company moving forward. The Manufacturing Leadership Community recently cited that attracting Millennials into manufacturing is critical to developing a pipeline of future leaders. By 2025 Millennials (born early 1980s through early 2000s) will make up 75% of the workforce. What attracts or will attract this generation to your company? For starters:

• A highly collaborative and innovative environment
• Company mission, services or products that impact the global, national or local community
• Excellent training and career path opportunities

Below is a great infographic on attracting Millennials from Industry Week: When you speak with Millennials whether at a job fair, classroom presentation, through social media or as a candidate in an interview, it is important to address the points highlighted. They will be looking for answers and manufacturers that can answer well and demonstrate successes in these areas will have an easier time attracting this new workforce.