Over the past six quarters, Gemco Valve has benefited from the economic expansion reported by small and mid size manufacturers all across the country. This boom is resulting in new job creation throughout the sector. “We are aware that the only way Gemco Valve is going to sustain the significant growth we’ve experienced over the past year is to bring new, younger workers into the business,” said Jim Lenihan, Gemco Valve President. “We are proud that we have great employee retention. However, we built this business by delivering a quality product, and superior customer service. In order to maintain the standards we have worked hard to establish, we need to increase our staff.”
Gemco Valve is looking for manufacturing and engineering technologists who have been trained in utilizing the most recent and innovative methods and equipment. There are a number of institutions in New Jersey with engineering and technological programs like New Jersey Technical Institute (NJIT). Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools and The Engineering department at Middlesex County College (MCC) and Rutgers School of Engineering have already been a resource for both staff and interns for the company and in this current effort, Gemco plans to again reach out to these institutions.
Gemco Valve’s decision to specifically recruit young technologists to the manufacturing field reflects another growing trend. In recent months, dozens of manufacturing industry publications have featured articles about the importance of changing the perception about careers in manufacturing in order to maintain a viable workforce. Political, business, financial and especially academic organizations are now focusing on ways to get a new generation of workers interested in industrial employment. They are emphasizing the abundance of rewarding, highly skilled innovative jobs that are available.
“We want young workers to know that these aren’t their grandfather’s manufacturing jobs. Today’s facilities are so much more than the noisy, dirty plants of yesterday,” Lenihan added. Indeed, technology, robotics and computers are key components in every part of today’s manufacturing industry – from design to production and shipping.
It is clear that an image revamping campaign is underway as the industry sets its sights on making manufacturing “cool” to a new generation of skilled workers. This current wave of advocacy underscores the urgent need to recruit and train young people so that manufacturing in the United States continues to thrive.
Manufacturing Day 2012
Manufacturers struggle with young workers
Tying Manufacturing to the Things Kids Love
Manufacturing’s next wave: Highly skilled workers
US Manufacturing Needs a Brand Makeover
Manufacturing is Cool
Manufacturing: Not just a man’s job
