From the downsizings of 1990s to a strong association with ‘low-tech’ baby boomers, millennials have repeatedly been sent the message that they should seek jobs outside the manufacturing sector.

However, U.S. manufacturers know that their graying boomer workforce is fast approaching retirement age, and coming up behind them is a gaping hole where Gen Xers and millennials should be.

That hole was partially dug by misperceptions about careers in manufacturing and it’s time companies started rebranding those blue-collar jobs and careers as the well-paying technical positions they actually are in 2015. With an increased emphasis on computer technology and a high level of job satisfaction, modern manufacturing jobs actually dovetail quite nicely with the sensibilities of millennials.

Millennials’ Career Values Do Align with the Manufacturing Sector

In MTV’s “No Collar Study,” surveyors found that millennials prize constant feedback, company transparency, honesty and a flat organizational structure in their career choices. A glaring omission, from manufacturers’ point-of-view, is the desire for a desk job or any position that doesn’t involve manual labor. This means a company embracing values of the emerging workforce has a greater chance in attracting younger employees.

Show off the Modern 21^st Century Manufacturing Environment

Millennials grew up with interactive technology at their fingertips, and today’s manufacturing jobs now incorporate numerous aspects of today’s device-driven society. Make sure your company embraces technology: first as a way to improve productivity, and second as a way to appeal to the younger workforce.

How to Reach Out to Millennials

Once you’ve taken a few organizational steps to appeal to the millennial workforce, get the word out and show millennials that manufacturing jobs aren’t the same dingy, grease-caked positions of the 20^th century.

Held this year on October 2, Manufacturing Day is an obvious opportunity to hold an open house event where students, parents and job seekers can come into your facility and see how modern tools are incorporated into your production process. This event is held once a year, but companies should regularly be reaching out to local schools to provide guided tours and give presentations. Internship or mentorship programs can also familiarize students with various manufacturing jobs.

During these and other interactions with millennials, emphasize that manufacturing jobs can pay quite well, and the average compensation is highly competitive with jobs in other sectors. Tour guides, mentors and presenters should also emphasize that those in the manufacturing industry tend to be very satisfied with their jobs. In a 2014 survey conducted by Industry Week, 87 percent of manufacturing employees said they were satisfied with their job and 42 percent said they were very satisfied.

At Cornerstone, we understand both the millennial workforce and the true nature of today’s manufacturing sector. Allow us to sell your open positions to younger candidates who have the potential to stick with you for decades to come.