A more optimistic outlook among millennials about the future of manufacturing could bode well for an industry contending with an ongoing skills shortage.
Nearly 47 percent of U.S. millennials think there will be enough qualified professionals to fill manufacturing job demands in the next 10 years, according to a survey by digital manufacturer Proto Labs. That’s a marked increase from the only 35 percent of Generation Xers and baby boomers who think the jobs demand will be met.
The rosier outlook millennials have on manufacturing is linked to changing perceptions of the industry. According to the survey, 37 percent of millennials see manufacturing as a high-tech career choice — notably higher than both Generation Xers (27 percent) and baby boomers (23 percent). Also, 49 percent of millennials believe engineering is a needed skill in the current manufacturing sector, compared with only 41 percent of baby boomers.
Digital manufacturing has paved the way for a larger amount of opportunities in addition to the plant floor roles solely and traditionally associated with the industry. Currently, top manufacturers must fill a range of skilled positions — from mold techs to applications engineers to software developers. The digitalization of the industry has transformed the old manual nature of manufacturing to the high-tech environment it is now. It is increasingly important for the manufacturing industry to continue shifting its outdated public image. In the next decade, it is estimated 2 million out of the 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled due to talent shortages.
“I expected to begin my career at what you might consider a traditional technology company, like Facebook, Amazon or Uber,” said Andrew Crocker, a 25-year-old software developer at Proto Labs who joined the company straight out of college. “Manufacturing wasn’t necessarily on my radar. But digital manufacturing has changed everything. It’s created a high demand for skills like mine, and it’s provided me a great career opportunity.”
Millennials more optimistic on manufacturing salaries
The financial benefit of a career in manufacturing is another perception that’s changing among young people. According to the survey, 40 percent of millennial respondents think a career in today’s manufacturing industry is high-paying, compared with only 26 percent of Generation Xers. Indeed, the average U.S. manufacturing worker makes more than $70,000 a year, according to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
“Digital manufacturing is revitalizing our industry and is igniting new opportunities,” said Vicki Holt, president and CEO for Proto Labs. “The skills gap presents a critical roadblock for all of us. But it’s encouraging to see a renewed optimism from a new generation of workers and to know they understand this isn’t their grandparents’ manufacturing industry. Much work remains ahead of us, but this is a good start.”
For more information, visit www. protolabs.com or call (877) 479-3680.
