Manufacturing, fabrication, welding, and shipyard positions have a reputation of being for a certain generation of employees. But in order remain competitive in the market, it’s important that your company hire and retain younger workers from the millennial generation. This generation has passed Baby Boomers as the largest group in our workforce today. So how do you attract these younger employees to your shipyard? Here are a few things to consider.
Be honest about the environment.
In the past, organizations may have carefully chosen their words to describe certain environments or teams. But millennials thrive on honesty and are willing to work in a variety of situations as long as they feel prepared for them. Be open about describing the management team, the hard work, and the overall environment of your shipyard.
Avoid millennial stereotypes.
You may think of millennials as entitled or raised with an “everyone wins” mentality. You may think they are coddled and not used to hard work. Or that they are flighty and prone to job hopping. Drop those expectations now and forget them all together. As with anyone, no two millennials are the same so don’t fall into a trap of judging them this way.
Give them opportunities.
But millennials, in general, like to be challenged. So when you’re interviewing them, look at what they can do for you beyond just the scope of the specific position. See how you can give them new opportunities and challenges to excel in your shipyard. This kind of trust will breed loyalty in these young employees.
Trust your instincts.
In the same way, you don’t want to rely on millennial stereotypes to influence your interview, you should rely on your personal experiences. When talking with a new candidate, you’ll recognize quickly if they will be a good fit for your environment and team. Trust these instincts when you’re hiring.
Be a mentor.
Finally, these younger employees are also able to thrive in a workplace where they can learn from the older generations. As a manager, be a mentor to them. Or pair them with an experienced employee to teach them not only the job but the culture of working within a shipyard.
Work with a leader in shipyard staffing.
Are you looking to add new talent to your team? Contact Hutco to see how we can help.
