Manufacturers Attract Recent Graduates
Valued at $2.5 trillion, the U.S. manufacturing industry is a well-established global leader in innovation and output. Long-term trends, however, have led to a significant talent gap, with recruiters concerned about the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, who currently make up nearly 25% of manufacturing workers. Manufacturers Attract Recent Graduates.
Automation is making a significant impact across the sector, reducing dependency on labor in factories and plants, but this currently applies only to repetitive and lower-skilled jobs. Skilled graduate programmers and technicians are needed now more than ever to manage and run the automated machines that are transforming manufacturing. With 79% of companies reporting labor shortages, the key challenge for employers in 2025 is making the workplace attractive for a new generation of motivated, skilled, and more diverse employees dedicated to leading the manufacturing sector into the future.
Let’s explore how industrial recruiters can attract and retain top talent.
Broaden Your Talent Pool
The growing number of women and non-binary people graduating in STEM highlights a significant opportunity for manufacturers. However, this talent pool could remain largely underutilized in the workforce due to persistent barriers, including unconscious bias, lack of inclusive hiring practices, and limited mentorship opportunities.
According to the 2025 Career Advancement in Manufacturing Survey Report, done in partnership with Xometry, Thomas, and Women in Manufacturing, 87% of women and 56% of men believe that workplace diversity improves business outcomes, and companies that fail to tap into a more diverse talent pool risk falling behind their competitors.
To attract more women to the industry, it’s crucial to facilitate STEM engagement early on. For example, you might consider conducting outreach at high schools or colleges to showcase the broad spectrum of opportunities in the industry. This will inspire young women to apply their interest in STEM and make informed choices about their educational paths. From engineers to CEOs, programmers to analysts, there are endless, fulfilling opportunities for women in industry.
Foster Career Advancement
Employers know a manufacturing career can be gratifying and long-lasting, but widespread misconceptions mean new recruits are often wary about their long-term prospects.
How is your company actively supporting and encouraging career development? By showcasing the opportunities you offer, such as professional development, pathways to leadership, and mentorship programs, your business will stand out to the most driven and career-focused individuals.
As the rise of automation transforms the sector, employers must highlight the potential for meaningful career advancement and training opportunities.
According to the Career Advancement in Manufacturing report, many women value employers that offer leadership, management, development, and mentorship programs the most. In fact, in 2025, these opportunities will be prioritized over many other benefits, including tuition reimbursement.
Eco-Friendly is Employer-Friendly
Environmental anxiety is a key factor shaping young people’s career decisions. Over 40% of Generation Z or millennials have or plan to change their jobs over climate concerns.
Conducting an environmental audit will highlight areas for improvement, such as waste reduction, resource efficiency, and renewable energy usage. These sustainability initiatives benefit the planet while reassuring an eco-conscious workforce about their employer’s values.
With this in mind, sustainability efforts should be front and center on a company website to attract a new generation of talent whose commitment to sustainability will be an asset to their employer.
Work-Life Balance Sells
The Career Advancement in Manufacturing report showed that today’s workers value flexible work schedules, which might include compressed hours, job-sharing, flexible hours, and, as automation develops, remote working. With these benefits not widely offered in manufacturing, this is an easy way for employers to modernize their workplace and attract new talent.
Flexible working is particularly important for women, whose disproportionate caring responsibilities often shape their career decisions. Greater flexibility in industrial workplaces could help reduce the gender pay gap and improve career advancement opportunities for women.
Listen First, Hire Smarter: Use Surveys to Strengthen Recruitment
Your current employees are your best ambassadors. Lean on them to showcase the best of your business via website testimonials, social media posts, internal spotlights, and mentorship programs.
In addition, create regular opportunities for employees to share honest feedback about their experiences. This is best achieved via regular surveys or anonymous platforms designed to check in on employee wellbeing. Gather valuable insights on how you can improve or adapt as an employer. Be sure to include questions about your recruitment processes so you can address any problems or concerns.
Don’t hesitate to communicate this information with your workforce and prospective hires openly. A genuine commitment to building a healthy and happy working environment.
Recruit Where They Scroll
Members of Gen Z are digital natives who spend a significant amount of time scrolling through social media sites. A recent report found that as many as 46% of American Gen Z-ers landed a job or internship via TikTok. With a further 76% using Instagram for guidance in their career development. Employers cannot overlook social media as a valid means of recruitment.
Developing an effective social media strategy is no mean feat. Invest in experts who can help you create a cutting-edge recruitment campaign across the most widely used social media platforms.
Unlike other, more formal recruitment channels, social media provides the space for you to embrace your creativity. It’s an opportunity to showcase the most exciting parts of your workplace. Operating state-of-the-art automated machinery to working in an exhilarating and fast-paced environment. The sector is rich with eye-catching content that could shift perceptions and showcase the true nature of your workplace.
Source: Manufacturers Attract Recent Graduates
https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/manufacturers-attract-new-graduates/
Laura Ross is a content writer with several years’ experience in writing, editing, and publishing a variety of content
https://www.techedmagazine.com/category/news-by-industry/manufacturing-education/
Manufacturers Attract Recent Graduates