Tackling the Workforce Dilemma
Denise Wilson 10.10.2012
Technicians with CNC machine tool experience are scarce. Or are they? Certainly in the world of recruiting they seem to be.
The Workforce Dilemma – Realities and Misperceptions
There are many contributing factors – some of which are misperceptions – to the CNC machine tool workforce dilemma:
- Manufacturing “left the country” and with it went the skilled workers (they took other jobs etc.)
- Skilled technicians and machinists are aging out of the workforce and the younger generation is not taking up the trades
- Technical school enrollment has decreased – misperceptions abound that manufacturing is “not a respectable living”, and wages are “too low”
- On-the-job training has decreased, leaving a gap in skill sets
Whatever your take on the subject, the fact remains that these skills are in short supply and high demand by manufacturers, distributors and end-users. CNC machine technicians also enjoy what has become a rare commodity in today’s job market: good potential for well-paying jobs with long-term job security. And there’s another dimension that’s often overlooked, but we witness it often: technical manufacturing jobs are cool, fun and downright addictive because they offer hands-on opportunities with fascinating machines, software, processes and parts. This can be so rewarding! We need to get the word out to our young people that manufacturing jobs are actually “high-tech” jobs, and are an extremely viable career choice.
The Next Generation – Finding the Needle in the Haystack
So, the key question in terms of recruitment is, where can we find a perpetual talent pool of candidates with strong CNC machine skills from which to recruit and develop our next generation of technicians?
One good source for Okuma has been the use of military recruiters and their job fairs. Specifically, we have a strong partner in Bradley-Morris Inc., the largest military-focused placement firm in the U.S. Our Account Representative, David Stewart, works tirelessly with his team to identify top performing candidates seeking civilian jobs. These candidates have received some of the best technical and on-the-job training in the country.
While we consistently look for experienced CNC machine technicians to expand and strengthen our already talented staff, we’re also dedicated to training those individuals with the right skill foundation and passion for our industry.
The Okuma Training Institute at York Technical College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing delivers world-class training using the latest generation of CNC machine tools, simulators and advanced CAM software. Okuma also has an apprenticeship program that runs for 32 weeks for select individuals. Our staff of Product Specialists and experienced service technicians also provides ongoing training and support to staff and distributors through on-the-job training.
Are you looking for a great career with a great company? Check out our career section for job postings and more about Okuma’s corporate culture.
We all share in our industry’s workforce challenges and solutions. It’s a hot topic these days. How can we, collectively, attract more qualified talent? Comment below and let us know your thoughts.
Denise Wilson is Human Resources Manager, Okuma America Corporation