Manufacturers need to promote the industry image to close jobs gap

Manufacturers need to continue to work to improve the industry's image as a terrific career path for individuals interested in STEM fields. At Smith and Richardson, we are extremely partial to CNC machining and engineering careers.

As a supplier to the aerospace, defense, hydraulic, medical and sporting goods industries, we allow individuals to be part of an industry that touches some part of everyone's life on a daily basis. Individuals in the machining fields have the opportunity to earn a six-figure income without incurring large amounts of college debt. And for individuals desiring to move into other roles, such as engineering, procurement or management, many manufacturing companies including S&R will pay for its team member to achieve an advanced degree.

In order to promote these opportunities, manufacturing needs to develop a national campaign to promote the industry similar to what the American Dairy Association did with its "Got Milk" campaign to promote the dairy industry.

Manufacturers need to network with and support their local schools to expose students to alternative career paths as early as the middle school years.

We need manufacturers to reach out to guidance counselors, vocational teachers and especially to parents to better inform the public about the importance of the manufacturing industry to our country's future and to especially change the image that manufacturing has developed as a dangerous, dirty and dead end career. Today's manufacturers are safe, clean and employ the latest state of the art computer controlled equipment capable of producing parts with tolerances smaller than the thickness of a human hair. Manufacturers need to take the time to invite students, parents, educators, and their elected officials into their facilities to spread the word about the opportunities provided in manufacturing.

Manufacturers need to stress the importance of and embrace internship programs to allow students the opportunity to learn about the career options available.

These internships need to give students exposure to all areas of the business from the manufacturing floor, to quality, to engineering, to the front office functions that make the manufacturing in the U.S. world class. Manufacturers need to allow students the ability to have a flexible schedule to allow them the ability to enroll in training programs at local community colleges, the TMA or other certified training programs. During the internship period make sure to assign a mentor capable of transferring their knowledge to the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

If we do not work to promote the industry that is the backbone of American ingenuity we will see our manufacturing base slowly wither away as the baby boom generation retires. As a friend said not every person can be a rocket scientist. A rocket scientist can only dream unless they have someone such as a machinist, engineer, mold maker, making the components and assembling them.

• Rich Hoster is president and chief operating officer of Smith and Richardson Inc. in Geneva.