Disengagement is a major issue in the manufacturing industry. In a 2017 survey on the state of the manufacturing industry, UK and US manufacturing employees showed a dismal 25% engagement rate. And a lot of this has to do with a lack of prospects.
Many
employees may feel stuck in their current position, but they shouldn't.
Manufacturing is a field that offers tons of opportunities for advancement. You
first need to have the proper mindset and take the steps necessary to make
yourself a more attractive candidate for higher roles. Here's what you can do
if you want to advance your career in manufacturing.
Stop
Thinking About It As A Job
The first thing you have to do is stop viewing your job as just a job. You have a
career and careers should be planned.
You
also have to take a long hard look at yourself and see if you are truly ready
to do what it takes. Do you proactively try to solve problems where you are?
Are you willing to get the training needed to advance yourself? How good are
you as a teammate? Are you ready to build your professional network by reaching
out and attending events? These are all things you’ll need to evaluate and
improve in areas where you’re lacking.
The biggest difference between a job and a career is that a career is supposed to
uplift you and allow you to realize yourself while a job puts food on the
table. So, you will need to look at your interests and aptitudes and see where
you could get higher qualifications.
Know
that these don't have to be formal either. If you manage to learn certain things
on your own and use that expertise on the floor, people will notice, and this
could help you stand out from the rest. Your higher-ups will also appreciate
that you're trying to improve yourself.
Learn
In-Demand Skills
We also
suggest that you inform yourself on the latest trends in the industry and where
you could fit in. There are a lot of talks about supply chain management and
lean manufacturing at the moment. If you have a general formation, then you
could always specialize yourself in these areas. Not only will you be able to
fill an important skills gap but get paid handsomely while you do it.
We
understand that getting higher credentials while you’re working may sound
difficult, but there are ways that you make things easier on yourself. One would
be to follow classes online.
You
could get an online masters in lean manufacturing from Kettering
University and get your qualifications from the comfort of our home
or wherever you are with an internet connection. This will eliminate some of
the barriers that make working and studying so difficult, like commuting and
the costs that come from attending classes on campus.
Think
Bigger
You
shouldn’t be mentally stuck in your position. You have privy knowledge of many
of your company’s processes, and you may have insights that could be very
valuable.
We
suggest that you start taking note of everything you think could be improved
and do your research. Look at proven solutions to tackle the problem. Then give
your ideas to someone higher up you feel comfortable with and who you trust.
This part is very important as you want your ideas to be heard and you don't
want them to try to take credit.
Do that
enough, and you will start getting attention from people higher up the ladder and might get on
their shortlist of people up for promotion. You should also study the role or
roles you are targeting, who are in the position at the moment, what is required,
and if you expect to be openings in the future.
Don't
Be Afraid To Move
Whether
it's changing positions, jobs, or even countries, you have to be flexible. You
have the power as a manufacturing employee. There is great demand for qualified
employees with experience at the moment with so many leaving the workforce for
retirement. So, it's always a good idea to look at areas where there’s the most
demand and see if you could make a move.
The
most important is making sure that you have a good relationship with your
employer and leave on cordial terms. Also, let them know of your plans well in
advance. This will increase the chance that they'll put a good word in for you.
Communicate
Often and Effectively
Try to
build a relationship and even a friendship with the supervisors you work with.
Don’t force it as it could backfire but try to identify which ones you have
chemistry with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your job, problems the
company may be facing, or skills you were thinking of acquiring. In a world
where employees are more disengaged than ever, this could be very beneficial
for your career.
Help
People Around You
What
goes around comes around and there are few places where it’s truer than in
manufacturing. Being a good teammate will go a long way and people will root
for you if you're ever up for promotion.
One of
the most admirable thing you can do is help people by performing duties that
are way beyond your scope of work. This is a sure-fire way to get the attention
of your supervisors and they will reward you for it.
But you
shouldn’t sit back and wait for someone to call on you to put out fires. If you
see something wrong or that another employee is overwhelmed with work, offer a
helping hand. Don’t be too forceful, however, as they might take it the wrong
way and you might come off as someone who is trying too hard.
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