MT Magazine May/June 2023

FEATURE STORY

THE WORKFORCE ISSUE

16

What young person wouldn’t want to stand on stage and get their picture taken for their decision to pursue a career in manufacturing? Nowadays Since Childers and Silver have been at this for more than a decade, the question arises: How is it different today than when they began? One of the differences is a result of letting people see the inside of the facility to understand that this isn’t a dark, dank, and dirty factory from days gone by. Actually seeing robots and rows of touch-screen controls and the like can make a big difference. And then there are programs like “How It’s Made” that show that manufacturing is interesting and not repetitious or dull as was once the case, such as in high volume industries like automotive. Childers says there is an array of YouTube videos showing how operations are performed that are readily accessible. What’s more, today’s young people are essentially digital natives; a 16-year-old was born the same year as the iPhone. The Downside That Isn’t Some people are reticent to make the investment in an apprenticeship program – and it is an investment of time, commitment, resources, and more – because they think that at the end of the program, when the journeyman certification is granted, the newly minted employee will leave. And while most of the people who have been through the Continental Morganton program stay, Silver says that if someone decides to leave, they congratulate that person. That is worth repeating: They congratulate the person who has decided to move on. Part of this goes to the commitment that the company has to the community: The program isn’t just about achieving a highly skilled workforce to make advanced technology braking systems but rather about advancing the entire area and the people who live there. Part of this is knowing that those who leave will always remember where they came from and how they were treated. Some who have moved on have recommended to people at other companies that they might want to work at Continental Morganton, and the organization has gained some good employees as a result. Coda You talk with Childers and Silver for just a few minutes, and their belief becomes evident that what they are doing, what Continental is empowering them to do, has benefits that can make a huge difference to individuals, their families, and their community. The pride is palpable.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Gary at vasilash@gmail.com.