Key Issue: How to recruit more candidates to manufacturing
Assist local manufacturers in finding talent to fill open positions
Identify ways to overcome the stigma associated with manufacturing
Promote and create excitement about the career and employment opportunities available now and in the future by leveraging social media, local advertising, branding, and relationship building
Key Focal Points:
Broad Community - Including the unemployed market
Attract to "advanced manufacturing" positions in the area
Include those unemployed now to fill current positions - production, assembly, technical, maintenance, etc.
Hold an "advanced manufacturing" focused job fair at Kalamazoo Valley Community College
College Solution - Technical training, competency-based, skills certification model
Provide a technical training academy (ie. training group's focus)
Leverage on-campus services already in place (job boards, fairs, interview days onsite, etc.)
Target for future job fairs, provide and promote internships, etc.
High School Solutions - Attract early on... manufacturing is cool!
Focus on the school guidance counselors first. Educate them!
Attract and educate students early about what advanced manufacturing entails and the career opportunities available
Develop a two-minute video attracting students to these types of career paths
Show parents the career path available with local manufacturing employers
Branding & Advertising - Career marketing campaign in Southwest Michigan
Member companies should be able to articulate why they are an employer of choice
Member companies can develop a company video promoting their culture and what it is really like to work there
Use social media to attract attention (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
Develop a local media campaign to tell the advanced manufacturing story in West Michigan
Create a tag line (POP!) to draw attention..."We are on the grow"! Place on billboards and social media sites
Use characteristics of a great employee. Define (or make light of) what manufacturers are NOT looking for in an employee
Utilize the Kalamazoo Gazette/M-Live to highlight different companies who are currently hiring and need qualified candidates
