The 21st century workforce is changing rapidly. With a recession in the first decade and we’re about to enter the third, employers are trying to wrap their brains around the new normal. Even if you don’t see major changes on the immediate horizon, they’re coming. Especially in manufacturing, baby boomers are nearing retirement and the oldest of the millennials are about to turn 40. The next generation to enter the workforce is very different from those that came before them. How do you handle these changes in your shipyard? Here are some things to consider.
- Diversity and inclusion. Current studies show that diversity in the workplace is essential for long term success. Diversity doesn’t just include the cultural makeup of your employees, but also the diverse ways of thinking that can help drive innovation. When you focus on hiring diverse candidates from all backgrounds and age ranges, you’ll benefit from these ideas.
- More millennials. We often refer to millennials as 20 and 30-somethings, but that’s changing. The oldest of the millennials are about to turn 40. The idea that millennials are immature and unable to function in the modern workplace is a destructive mode of thinking and since it is the largest demographic in today’s workforce, it’s important to learn how to manage this group.
- Global reach. The marine industry may be one of the few already set up to handle the global nature of industry in the future. Shipbuilding has always been a global prospect, often working with companies and suppliers all over the world. But working with a global workforce is about to become the wave of the future, so understanding these processes will give your company the edge.
- Automation and innovation. One aspect that will affect manufacturing, and especially ship building, is the increased reliance on automation and technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and blockchain. This means that hiring in the future will have to take knowledge of these things into account. This can change a lot of positions in your shipyard and require you to pull from a new pool of candidates.
Are you ready for a changing workplace? Contact Hutco to see how we can help today.