The challenge is to persuade them that manufacturing “is not the dark, dirty and dangerous place that folks think it is,” Joe Trauger, vice president of human resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, told The Wall Street Journal.
In fact, only 35 percent of parents say they would encourage their children to pursue careers in manufacturing, despite the advanced skills and high pay characteristic of work in today’s advanced manufacturing industry, according to the Manufacturing Institute. “This is due to a perception of manufacturing that existed a generation ago but does not represent the current reality of the industry, said the Washington, D.C.-based trade group.
To that end, the Institute has a program—“Dream It. Do It.”—that helps young people find local programs that can help them explore career opportunities. Launched a decade ago, the program offers local manufacturers, schools, community-based organizations and other stakeholders the opportunity to promote manufacturing to three distinct target markets: parents, students and educators.
Manufacturing CEOs have a lot to offer the ranks of Generations Y and Z, many of whom have concluded that a four-year college education doesn’t offer nearly the ticket to financial prosperity that it once may have. Thanks to slow economic growth and automation, manufacturing jobs per se aren’t expected to rise out of proportion to others, but the ones that are going begging can be extremely attractive, offering pay far above jobs in retailing, food service and other service sectors.
For example, in the aircraft industry, which employs more than 40,000 people, the national annual median wage is more than $48,000. But in metro areas with the 90 percent highest wages in the business—Philadelphia, northern New Jersey and southern California—wages are $80,000 and above. And fully 93 percent of these workers have attained educational levels no higher than an associate’s degree, with about half of that number possessing only a high-school diploma or equivalent.
So if manufacturing CEOs can get potential qualified employees to take a look at them, typically they’ve got a lot to offer. Getting them to do so requires better marketing.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
