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The Power of the Young Needs to be Harnessed
01 Sep 2005
If the younger elements of your workforce seem less than motivated perhaps you should take a closer look at how you manage them. Have you asked what excites them, what unusual skills they have or how they think things should be done? You might be pleasantly surprised, says Arthur Richardson of the South West MAS.
We have a tendency within manufacturing to underestimate the value of the younger element of our workforce. Whether straight from school, on an apprenticeship or doing a placement through further education, there is a perception that young people demand a great deal of time and provide little return on investment. The problem, however, is not necessarily the young people coming into the industry, of which there are too few, but our attitude towards them and ability to deal with their increasingly sophisticated aspirations.
The long-term rewards of developing and investing in our young, are endless. We are part of an economy where knowledgebased working is paramount for success. In manufacturing we are faced with an ageing workforce which, on retirement, will take with it irreplaceable traditional skills and endless knowledge.
By gaining a greater understanding of the aspirations of young people you will be able to create an environment that harnesses their passion, enthusiasm and youth and in turn makes manufacturing a more attractive career option.
To find out more about the support available from the South West MAS, visit www.swmas.co.uk
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