The Top Manufacturing Skills All Employers Seek

March 25, 2018 | Career Blog

More than 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in The United States within the next 10 years, according to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. However, as many as 2 million are expected to go unfilled because there are simply not enough people who possess the necessary manufacturing skills.

Our world is becoming increasingly digital, but there is still a great need for tangible goods. Working in production is physically demanding, and the manufacturing industry has developed a reputation of hard work for minimal pay. Maybe this once was true, but a lot has changed in this respect. Those with the abilities needed to do a sufficient job in manufacturing are not easy to find, so they are much appreciated and well paid for their skillset.

Here are some common traits employers look for in top-performing manufacturing employees.

Desirable Abilities For Manufacturing Employees

These days, employers are having the most trouble finding individuals who can fill the positions of manufacturing machinists, welders, and maintenance technicians.

Machinists. The machinist’s main responsibility is to create custom metal and plastic parts with machinery using a high level of care and accuracy. They also keep maintenance of the equipment and are in charge of conducting repairs when necessary. Their usual responsibilities include:

Staying informed and up-to-date on any information released concerning new technology in materials, methods, and equipments used in their line of production.
Reading and fully understanding instructions or blueprints for their assignments and the designing of plans or steps that should be taken to guarantee completion of the project.
Shaping of materials by cutting, milling, grinding, drilling, etc.Assembling parts by hand and the use of instruments like gauges or scribers to ensure accuracy.
Researching the latest technologies in order to most effectively plan which materials should be used for a project.

Ideal candidates require a high school diploma or GED and machinist certification is preferable. A truly capable machinist must have exceptional dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Welders. Welders responsibilities usually require the use of machinery which produces flame or plasma steam hot enough to melt metal in order to be able to join two pieces together. A welder can use automated machinery or handheld equipment. There are a wide range of different types of welders and positions. Some examples of the usual responsibilities of a welder are:

Examining workpieces for flaws and measuring them for straight edges and conformance with specifications.
Setting up and operating power tools common in the welding trade.
Operating safety equipment and possessing knowledge of safe work habits.
Monitoring the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid the harm of materials.
Marking materials with proper numbers and identification tags.
Operating grinding equipment to grind off excess weld or spatter.
Creating templates for welding projects with the use of mathematical calculations.
Shaping metals, straightening and plastic forming.
Mixing and applying protective coatings to the products.
Operating brazing and soldering equipment.

Many welding jobs require minimal education while others ask for a combination of schooling and experience.

Maintenance Technicians. A maintenance technician primarily is responsible for preserving the condition and functionality of the work environment and equipment. Responsibilities generally include:

Checking the buildings mechanical systems for needed repairs and keeping them consistent with health and safety standards.
Maintaining proper function of electrical systems.
Maintaining the heat and plumbing systems.
Inspecting alarms systems and the scheduling of repairs when needed.
Performing any manual repairs needed.

These positions usually require a high school diploma and the addition of certification as a Maintenance and Reliability Professional is a plus.

The Contribution of Management

Manufacturing work is physically demanding and those who are the most successful at it must find their work to be rewarding. A manufacturing manager is greatly responsible for administering supervision and positive feedback to their staff, along with maintaining a high functioning environment that the workers enjoy coming to each day.

It is up to the manager to ensure that regular inspections of the facility are being carried out to maintain quality control. But employees that are aware of these factors will be able to communicate more effectively with their supervisor and contribute to a more positive working environment.

Examples of a properly functioning facility are:

Adequate training for each person once they are assigned a job
Communication of hazards and accidents associated with the job
Resources are available to deal with hot and cold conditions, such as water or lined gloves
Material safety data sheets are placed in easily accessible locations for employees
There are clear communication for procedures in the case of an emergency
Tools are kept in the proper place
Facility is kept clean, in good condition, and well organized
Finding the Right Manufacturing Job

As you can see, there are a wide range of opportunities available in the manufacturing industry. But knowing which path and skill-match is righthttps://www.allegiancestaffing.com/staffing-agency-industries/ for your background is not always obvious. That’s where a staffing company can help!

Staffing experts can help identify opportunities, set you up for success in the interview, and keep you on a path for career growth. The Allegiance Staffing team are experts in matching individuals to manufacturing roles that are the best fit for their skills and level of experience.

And all Allegiance employees are part of a family that is dedicated to the success of each team member. Take our Build. Grow. Share. Program, for example. Every employee has the opportunity to be rewarded with ongoing compensation all successful employee referrals. That’s additional money in your pocket for as long as you stay with Allegiance.

Do you have the manufacturing skills needed to succeed? Contact us today about our current job openings. We’d love to have you on the team!

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