As the Canadian manufacturing industry continues to grapple with the effects of a nationwide labour shortage, recruitment methods have become a more prominent discussion for employers.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium’s suite of recruitment initiatives, WILWorks (Work Integrated Learning), have been well-received by industry as a means of connecting manufacturers with the labour support they need through a vast network of young workers eager to build careers in the industry.
Let’s take a closer look at EMC’s WILWorks Graduate program – a program that aims to build connections between manufacturers, recent graduate and youth.
Recently EMC interviewed a participant, who participated in a WILWorks program, to gather her thoughts on the experience, insights about her workplace, and what she learned throughout her placement. This participant provided a valuable look into the program’s inner workings and offered timely judgment on the Canadian manufacturing industry’s current state and future prospects.
The interview’s tone was most certainly a positive one. The participant discussed the various employment duties she contributed to during her placement, which included plastic welding, material preparation, workplace organization, and general supportive actions.
Of particular note was the participant’s enjoyment of advanced machinery usage, which, as she identified, was a skill that could only be developed in a manufacturing environment. Great attention was paid to the manufacturer’s safety and cleanliness standards; this business received a significantly favourable evaluation. Employee communication and collaboration was identified by the participant as a highlight of her typical workday and, from the variety of guidance and advice she relayed back to EMC, her appreciation for these interactions was clear.
This participant also placed great importance on the recognition she received from senior management and spoke highly of the importance of such acknowledgement for all employees.
While the process of advertising an available position may be simple, attracting new employees to the role is decidedly more complex.
Today’s youth have a vast array of expectations for their potential workplaces that stand in addition to their need for fair compensation. Without adequately responding to these desires, manufacturers may face challenges attracting these younger workers towards their organizations.
When posting available positions at your company, be sure to highlight what makes your work meaningful, the industry, and the world at large. Individuals that can immediately understand the tangible impact of a role on its surrounding environment will be eager to learn more, which allows the ideal opportunity to demonstrate the value of their company.
Having access to the thoughts and opinions of young professionals, like the one featured earlier, is a critical tool for modernizing and refining recruitment methods in the manufacturing industry. Through EMC’s WILWorks Graduate program, business leaders stand to gain motivated, passionate, and energized employees — who establish valuable lines of communication with the future of labour in this industry.
By taking advantage of the funding, networking, and operational benefits that these WILWorks initiatives provide, start developing the next generation of manufacturing success!
To learn more about EMC's WILWorks Graduate Program, contact Susan McLachlan.
