Within the manufacturing industry, the labor shortage and aging workforce are topics of constant discussion and debate. As more and more experienced machinists approach retirement, many shops are struggling to find qualified replacements in the next generation.
At C&G Machine, we think about this topic often. Our expert team is strong and highly capable, but we know growth in the coming years will require an expanded staff. Building a strong manufacturing talent pipeline will be essential to our future success and to the success of our customers.
It’s true that part of the challenge lies outside of the industry—too few young people are told how viable and rewarding a modern manufacturing career can be. But we also know that it’s up to us, as manufacturers, to help change that perception.
CNC machining and automation are evolving, and that’s creating opportunities for a new type of worker. We’re working hard to show the next generation that manufacturing is a natural fit for their tech-savvy skill set–even as the industry still offers the traditional satisfaction of craftsmanship and hands-on problem solving.
We Don’t Expect Perfection—We Invest in Potential
Recently, we hired a new team member to help with shop upkeep, and we were happy to have additional help. Before long, it became clear he had the potential to take on more responsibilities because of his work ethic and his genuine interest in shop operations. Now, he’s running manual lathes as part of our rapid repair work services and learning to operate mills.
There are different types of hiring needs, and sometimes we’re looking for experienced machinists. But many times, we’re simply seeking a talented young person who can grow with us—and in that case, we look for the right attitude above all. When someone new to the industry walks into the shop, we don’t expect them to arrive with all skills already in place. What we want is a willingness to learn and a drive to solve problems.
Once we’ve found that, we are committed to helping them succeed. Mistakes are a natural part of growth, and we focus on learning from them, not punishing them. That approach is critical to building a resilient, knowledgeable team.
Why We’re Optimistic About the Next Generation of the Manufacturing Talent Pipeline
This mindset—curiosity and a love of problem solving—is central to our start-to-end manufacturing solutions. And we know it’s not limited to any one generation. There are countless young people who would thrive in our industry if given the chance. For us, the question is: How do we encourage young people to take an interest in manufacturing?
In part, we work to connect modern manufacturing to the skills and interests many members of Generation Z already have. Today’s young people are digital natives in a way that no other generation in manufacturing has been. They think about problems in a new way, one that can be invaluable to us. Not only that, their experience is often more aligned with manufacturing than they might realize.
Generation Z has grown up tinkering with Raspberry Pi boards, coding simple apps, and exploring virtual reality and 3D models in video games. This early immersion strengthens spatial cognition and reasoning skills, which studies show translate naturally into a knack for automation, programming, and 3D CAD. As these abilities are foundational to interpreting complex geometries and building smart manufacturing systems, their importance will only increase, especially as companies move toward VR-based design and prototype development tools.
A Future-Ready Workforce Needs Traditional Skills, Too
Old-school craftsmanship remains as important as ever in manufacturing, especially in applications like reverse engineering. But as automation takes over more and more tasks, the nature of manufacturing is shifting. Our job is to help young people see how their skills make manufacturing a natural career choice.
Creating a reliable manufacturing talent pipeline doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right mix of training and outreach, we have no concern that we’ll find the manufacturing talent to support our growth in the coming years and continue delivering our customers the quality results they demand.
Request a quote today to partner with our Colorado machine shop on your next project!