NAM: How Manufacturers Can Tap Into A Large, Talented Workforce Discipline, reliability, a team-player mindset, leadership — manufacturers are looking for all these qualities in the tal- ent they recruit. What if companies could tap into a popu- lation not only equipped with these skills but experienced in using them in high-stakes situations? Well, the Manufacturing Institute — the workforce de- velopment and education affiliate of the NAM — has good news, if you haven’t heard it already: this population ex- ists, and its military talent. Transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military spouses have a wealth of skills and experience that trans- late easily into a manufacturing context. So how can manufacturers reach these workers and
make the best use of them? The MI recently convened both military and manufacturing leaders in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for its third Workforce Solution Series event, where they answered this question and offered a range of useful advice.
Major General Eugene J. LeBoeuf, Dep- uty Commanding General, U.S. Army Re- serve Command, highlighted the talents and skillsets that Army reservists can of- fer the manufacturing industry, including agility, a can-do attitude and a thorough grounding in engineering, logistics and mechatronics. With nearly 190,000 soldiers, the Army Reserve comprises much of the readiness force of the U.S. Army. Many of these re- servists are underemployed or unem- ployed, which means they represent an opportunity for manufacturers. Manufacturers interested in hiring from this labor pool can partner with the Private Public Partnership Office, which connects companies with reservists at no cost. Several panelists emphasized the im- portance of developing recruitment pro- cesses that encourage military talent to apply and interview for manufacturing jobs. “Make sure that the requirements you’re listing in your position descriptions are actually required. Do you really need someone to have a master’s degree to get the job done?” asked Rob Patton, Vice President of Fayetteville Cumberland Eco- nomic Development Corporation. As a recently transitioned service mem- ber, James Goppert, HR Business Partner at WestRock, explained some of the chal- lenges that military talent may face when entering the workforce: “Having to explain military skills and certifications to a civilian in an interview was strange. It would have been helpful to have someone on the oth- CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
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August 14, 2023
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