To the unfamiliar, the fastener industry may seem old-fashioned. However, the fastener industry is an ever-changing, ever-growing, advanced industry. Without it, worldwide manufacturing would come to a halt. Imagine trying to build a car or a computer without any screws, bolts, or other types of fasteners.

Many businesses in the fastener industry are encountering a hiring crisis. Old employees are retiring, and there are few trained associates to take their place. That is why businesses must bring in new talent in the fastener industry.

Younger generations, like Millennials and Generation Z, can help companies innovate with fresh, new ideas. While at the same time, younger people can expand their experience and knowledge by working in a well-established industry.

If your fastener business is struggling to attract new talent, here are a few suggestions to help draw them in.

Key Takeaways

• Millennials are between 25 and 40 years old in 2021, meaning they are ready to find a rewarding career.
• Members of Generation Z and Millennials want to see defined career goals and outcomes when considering a new position.
• Companies need to modernize their hiring practices and reach out to Millennials online to reach new talent.
• Manufacturing companies should also consider investing in educational opportunities that teach the specialized skills required for many manufacturing careers.

How Are Younger Generations Defined?

While some people may refer to anyone younger than 40 as a Millennial, there are two up-and-coming generations. Millennials are typically considered anyone born between 1981 and 1996. In 2021, they would be between 25 and 40 years old. Generation Z, on the other hand, is anyone after 1996. The oldest members of Gen Z would turn 24 in 2021.

Recognize the Mindset of Younger Generations

Younger generations see the professional world differently than older generations. Companies would do well to recognize that mindset and find hiring methods that are attractive and engaging to young people.

Here are a few simple ways businesses can revamp their hiring strategies: 

• Modernize Titles: Young people want a job title that is both appealing and defining. Saying you are an “inside sales rep” is not too exciting. A job title like “business development specialist” is both more appealing and more descriptive.
• Define Career Paths: When a young person is searching for a new job, they want something they can feel passionate about. They also want to know that their hard work will be rewarded with clear advancement opportunities. The old-school idea of “work hard to get noticed” does not resonate well with Millennials or Gen Z. They want to see attainable goals and a defined path within the company.
• Focus on Internships: Young adults looking for a prospective career are drawn towards a company if it offers a valuable internship experience. By offering a rewarding internship program, businesses see if someone is a good fit before fully investing in their training. At the same time, young adults “try out” a company before fully committing.

These simple adjustments can draw in younger talent to the fastener industry.

Create an Employee Value Proposition Plan

Millennial and Gen Z job seekers want more than just a paycheck. They want to know how they will fit within a company and how that company will work to help them develop as an employee. An innovative way to show this to prospective employees is with an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) plan.

Bharani Nagarathnam, associate director and master of the Industrial Distribution Program at Texas A&M University, describes the purpose of an EVP: “It’s things like your culture. Your work environment. The growth opportunities and the team environment…What you’re doing is you’re opening a window for future employees to look inside your company.”

Companies should share an EVP with each job posting. This shows prospective candidates how that specific job will function within the company and what expectations come with it.

Revamp Your Brand on Social Media

The importance of social media cannot be overstated. Younger generations want to interact with the people and brands they like online. Most Millennials and Gen Zers have accounts on multiple platforms, the most popular being YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. 

To connect with young people online, your company needs to have an engaging social media presence. Posting your company information, along with available job openings, on professional social media sites like LinkedIn is a great place to start. According to a recent survey, 16% of Gen Zers and 18% of Millennials use social media to expand their professional networks.

In addition to professional sites, you can expand to more traditional social media platforms to highlight some of your company’s achievements. 

• Showcase Diversity: Highlight important employees that can share their stories of working with your company.
• Talk About Technology: Many young people view the manufacturing industry as something straight from the industrial revolution. Focus on the many forms of advanced technology that your company might use, like 3D printing, computer-aided design, and robotics.

Highlight Company Culture: Talk about any company events, enrichment activities, and training opportunities available to your employees. Show how each employee has a valuable position at the company.

Invest in Education to Attract New Talent in the Fastener Industry

Many manufacturing jobs require specialized skills that are not taught in traditional classrooms. Companies should consider investing in trade, vocational, and tech schools that can teach these skills. There may also be government grant programs available to help fund apprenticeship programs.

This video shows how 3M invested in its local community in Hutchison, Minnesota to attract new, skilled talent to its manufacturing facility.

Attract New Talent at International Fastener Expo 2021

Attract new talent at International Fastener Expo 2021. This is the largest B2B expo for industrial fasteners and other industrial related products in North America. This year, IFE 2021 will be held at Mandalay Bay resort in Last Vegas, September 21 – 23.

Register to attend the International Fastener Expo today.