By 2025, three out of four people in the workforce will be from the Millennial generation.
This workforce comes with considerable strengths according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Millennial Report:
- Millennials are technology savvy (the report called it a “digital sixth sense”).
- Millennials are optimistic. 41% of the people in this generation were satisfied with the way things are going in this country, compared to only 26% of those over 30.
- Millennials excel at multi-tasking.
- Similar to earlier generations, Generation Y cares about those in need, and this population desires a strong family life.
Given their strength in numbers and abilities, how can companies start attracting this workforce now before the Baby Boomers retire?
John Anderson, of MEP’s Southern California Center, points to a study conducted in 2012 by MTV. This study concludes that this generation has a number of characteristics that employers need to understand.
- Millennials require your immediate attention and feedback. No 6-month reviews for them.
- Millennials want a casual workplace; they don’t separate their personal and professional life.
- Millennials work when they want to work. As long as they get their work done, the amount of time they are there doesn’t matter.
- Millennials aren’t all about the money (they value liking the job and being challenged over the pay).
- Millennials want transparency and honesty.
- Millennials like a flat organizational structure that promotes collaboration, not hierarchy.
Once a company understands the tendencies of this workforce, where to they find them? Anderson offers some suggestions:
Participate in Manufacturing Day 2015 – MFG Day is all about giving manufacturers a chance to share exciting, contemporary manufacturing techniques with visitors from their surrounding communities — especially students and others who are interested in manufacturing careers.
Partner with local schools and colleges to host facility tours and speak at events – Your company can host smaller groups of high school and college students potentially interested in careers at your company. You can also speak at student organization events about new technologies you are using.
Institute an internship program – Work with local high schools and colleges to offer summer internships for those in technical disciplines. This provides an opportunity for to see if the person is a fit for your organization. This can also be a great and inexpensive way to get projects done!
