How to Change Perceptions of Manufacturing

The average age of a U.S. manufacturing worker is now 44.6 years. Even more concerning? Only 27% of young people see manufacturing as a desirable career. This should be a wake-up call for the country. Manufacturing isn't the factory floor stereotype of decades past. Today's plants are powered by robotics, AI, digital twins, and highly-skilled problem solvers. Yet, we still struggle to tell that story. If we want to attract the next generation, we need to: ✅ Showcase the real opportunities in modern manufacturing ✅ Invest in STEM and skilled trades education ✅ Create workplaces that offer purpose, creativity, and career growth ✅ Show young people that manufacturing isn't just a job — it's a high-tech, high-impact career The talent gap isn't coming — it's here. And the good news? We have the tools, the technology, and the stories to change perceptions. But we have to start now. How is your company helping to inspire the next generation of makers?

"Why isn't manufacturing the top choice for Gen Z?" It's time to change the narrative. Manufacturing is no longer just about assembly lines. It's about innovation and impact. In my journey, I've seen how tech-savvy environments attract young talent. Here's what we can do: 1️⃣ Use social media to showcase modern manufacturing, like a “Day in the Life”… 2️⃣ Offer mentorship and career growth opportunities. 3️⃣ Highlight sustainability initiatives, as long as they’re real! 4️⃣ Engage with educational institutions—early and often! 5️⃣ Create employee ambassador programs. These strategies can transform perceptions and draw Gen Z into manufacturing. The Silver Tsunami is here! Don’t wait to build your talent pipeline ___________________________________ 💥BONUS💥 Nice article from Workday with additional tips to attract Gen Z below 👇 📸: Agency Analytics

How Social Media Sparked a Trade School Revival! You see, for about 40 years, we kept the trades so quiet that entire generations of students thought CNC was a rapper. We whispered “manufacturing” like it was a dirty word, buried shop class under budget cuts, and made every teenager believe the only path to success was a four-year degree and soul-crushing student debt. We were losing the youth not because manufacturing wasn’t cool, but because no one ever bothered to show them just how freakin’ awesome it really is. And then it happened… Middle schoolers. High schoolers. Kids in trade schools. All scrolling through social media and suddenly realizing, “Wait…I could make a six-figure salary making stuff instead of doing four years of interpretive dance studies and collecting crushing debt?” The Results Speak for Themselves… Trade school enrollment experienced a 4.9% growth from 2020 to 2024. Specifically, mechanical and repair programs saw an 8% increase, while precision machinery classes grew by 7.5%. Nearly 67% of Gen Z’ers confess that their interest in skilled trades has been turbocharged by social media More than half of Gen Z is now flirting with the idea of a trade career, a 12% spike from last year. And get this, 72% of those already clutching college degrees are considering a U-turn into the trades Interest among Gen Z women has skyrocketed, with 52% considering a trade career, nearly matching their male counterparts at 57% Social media impressions related to “manufacturing careers” have increased by over 300% since 2020 Industry events like IMTS and AUTOMATE are seeing record attendance from students and educators Shop class is returning to middle and high schools in areas once considered lost causes, many thanks to viral videos and influencer partnerships The last five years have done more to shift the public’s perception of manufacturing than the previous 40 combined And who do we have to thank? Shop floor content creators who show us how to cut Inconel, make parts prettier than wedding cakes, and smile through 3rd shift chaos Thought Leaders like Drew, Meaghan, Jake, Chris, Ian, Eddie, Jacob, WILL, Jeff, Allison, and so many others that deserved to be named MTDCNC, whose cameras have been in more shops than coolant, bringing everyday manufacturing legends into the spotlight where they belong. With daily content reaching millions of people every month, their presence at trade shows and inside shops has brought CNC machining into schools, classrooms, and boardrooms across the globe TITANS of CNC MACHINING, with over 1 million followers across platforms, his FREE educational academy has reached over 100,000 students in more than 170 countries. He made manufacturing heroic and accessible to everyone We are no longer in the shadows We are in the feeds We are in the minds of the next generation And most importantly, we’re in the conversation

465,000 manufacturing job openings, yet companies can't fill them. The reason? Today's smart factories need a different kind of talent. What's really happening on the factory floor: 1. Traditional roles have evolved — maintenance workers now need to understand robotics and automation 2. The most valuable candidates are tech-savvy generalists who can adapt across functions 3. Workers aren't just seeking jobs — they want transferable skills that future-proof their careers For manufacturers, the message is clear: stop selling old perceptions of manufacturing jobs. Start showcasing the high-tech, growth-focused opportunities that actually exist. Your next maintenance technician might be a tech enthusiast who never considered manufacturing as a career path. How are you adapting your recruitment strategy to reach them? #Manufacturing #TalentAcquisition #FutureOfWork