My Take: In Your Own Words

By Jane Alexander, Deputy Editor

In the June 2013 installment of this column entitled “Let’s Sell It,” I issued a call to action of sorts. Given the depressing statistics associated with what should be a large pool of skilled workers—but isn’t—coupled with the countless critical positions going unfilled across industry, I wanted to know what might have drawn our readers to their maintenance/reliability-related jobs and what kept them honing their relevant skill-sets. I also asked potential respondents to craft “sales pitches” based on their personal backgrounds and circumstances to use in attract-ing young people toward industrial careers.

I heard from several readers. Although space doesn’t allow me to include everything they wrote, let me share a couple of points that stood out to me in the remarks from two of them. Lon Goble, a sales engineer, wrote that he’s been working in industry for 43 years. His “pitch” alluded to the kick he gets from helping sites increase their productivity, lower their costs, improve their product and cut their machine downtime. James Zuidema has been consulting and training in the area of motor management and testing for seven years. In his “sales pitch,” he noted that there’s no better feeling than seeing a production department run smoothly and ship product on time.

Thanks, gentlemen, for taking me up on my invitation. I bet there are many others who feel the same way about their jobs. To those who do, I hope you’re sharing your sentiments and inspir-ing all the kids you know to think “industrial.” 

Interestingly, I don’t remember ever asking readers what they didn’t like about their jobs. Some of you may be able to bring that up in your responses to another invitation—one that’s directed at a specific demographic.

If you’re a “Millennial” (born after 1980) and working in industry, ARC Advisory Group (arcweb.com) has a survey for you! Its purpose is to let Millennials who have recently entered the workforce share what works for them—as well as what doesn’t—and point to types of improvements that could help make manufacturing and automation-related careers more attractive and fulfilling. The results will then be shared during a workshop entitled “The Future Workforce Leaders: In Their Own Words!” to be held at the 18th Annual ARC Industry Forum, in Orlando, FL, on Feb. 10, 2014.

Not to worry: ARC promises that respondents’ privacy is assured and their identities won’t be released to others. No individual or company will be identified in the report. Responses will be accumulated with others to chart the results. Only aggregated information will be published. Upon completion of the research, participants will receive a free summary report—something that could help them gain a valuable external perspective from their peers.

If you fit the specified Millennial profile, click here and make your voice count via ARC’s brief survey. I, for one, will be very interested in what you have to say. MT

jalexander@atpnetwork.com