Here at NTMA, we’ve covered the topic of workforce shortage more times than we can count, at our Engage and Emerging Leaders conferences, on social media, in one-on-one chats with members, and in countless articles on our website and in The Record.
It’s been an ongoing struggle for our members, with many turning to job boards and other traditional recruiting methods. Therein lies a whole new problem: job applications aren’t always the best or most accurate measure of how an individual will tackle the work. Someone could be a fantastic candidate on paper, but if they don’t mesh well with the company’s culture, turnover is imminent. Then the process repeats itself all over again. (We’re exhausted just thinking about it!)
Consider this question: Would you rather hire someone based on a resume, or hire someone who comes recommended by someone you trust? We can pretty much guarantee you chose the latter!
Resumes are helpful in disclosing employment history and years of experience, but they don’t reveal other characteristics that matter: attitude, communication styles, reliability, and fit. The people who already work at your company understand those qualities better than anyone, as they experience your working environment every day.
That’s the idea behind OnRamp to Manufacturing, an NTMA initiative designed to help manufacturing companies build their talent pipeline through employee referrals.
Turn Your Employees Into Recruiters
We cannot overstate how important a role HR plays in our companies, but workforce development is too important to place entirely on one person or department.
Successful recruiting starts with everyone at the organization, not just HR. When every employee understands they can make an impact in building the future workforce, your recruiting reach expands dramatically.
Additionally, what better people are there to find the right shop floor talent than the individuals who spend their days in this environment? Your production professionals know the type of people who thrive in the day-to-day. Just as importantly, they know people in their closer circles and larger communities who are naturally curious and mechanically inclined, and those two traits are common in people who thrive in manufacturing environments.
Students and young adults looking for a hands-on career path, someone who enjoys fixing cars or restoring equipment in their spare time, people who excel at problem-solving… these are the types of individuals who may not be actively searching for these opportunities, but they’re the right type of people your company needs.
OnRamp helps your employees get those conversations started!
How NTMA’s OnRamp Program Works
After reaching out to NTMA to get started, participating NTMA companies receive 500 free business cards featuring a QR code connected to the OnRamp platform and a unique four-digit code, which they distribute to their employees. After the first 500, every additional set of 500 cards is $95.
Think of all the people your team members come into contact with at community events, sports games, block parties, and other local gatherings. In the event the employee meets someone who may be a good fit, they can hand out one of the cards.
When a potential candidate scans the QR code, they are introduced to manufacturing through video resources that highlight the innovation happening in our industry and the exciting career opportunities and growth potential that come with it.
From there, the unique company code directs them to the participating manufacturer’s landing page, where they can view open positions and take the next step toward joining the team.
Real Results from Manufacturers Using OnRamp
NTMA member companies are already seeing a difference.
For example, AccuRounds distributed 100 OnRamp cards and saw 68 people visit their website through those referrals, a strong indication that people were interested enough to learn more! They’ve since purchased additional cards to expand their reach. Read more about their experience with OnRamp in an article they wrote for The Record starting on page 10.
Our Grassroots Approach to Solving Manufacturing’s Workforce Challenges
The workforce shortage isn’t something we can solve overnight, but companies can take new approaches to finding and developing talent.
OnRamp creates a grassroots recruiting strategy that helps manufacturers connect with people they may never reach through traditional hiring methods.
Your next great employee might not be actively searching for a manufacturing job. They might not even know manufacturing is an option. But someone on your team might know exactly who they are.
To learn more about participating in OnRamp to Manufacturing, contact Jenny Stupica, Workforce Development Director, at jstupica@ntma.org.
