Industry Trends

5 Important Skills you Need for a Career in Manufacturing

career in manufacturing

To be successful in the manufacturing industry, candidates need to adopt a specific skill set based around achieving effective results.

More than likely, you have a foundation for the basic skillset leaders in our industry want when hiring new talent. And if you’re reading this blog post, odds are that you already value the importance of professional growth. So this idea isn’t new.

But career recruiters are looking for a candidate who can handle more than just the technical job responsibilities (we’re talking about that huge soft skills gap). That’s why we compiled this list of five important skills you need for a career in manufacturing.

1. Unbreaking Reliability

With any career, it helps to be on time. But when it comes to a career in manufacturing, being there physically is only half the battle.

Researchers at Chicago State University compiled a list of behavioral indicators that represent a good basis for understanding what it means to be dependable in the workplace environment. The researchers write that a dependable employee, “recognizes the relative importance of certain tasks and responsibilities… demonstrates commitment by maintaining a consistent and predictable work schedule.. (and) is relied upon by others as a source for valid information.”

That sounds like a mouthful. Which it is. But it also only comes down to three keywords: trustworthiness, consistency and steadfastness.

2. Thoughtful Mindfulness

When working in manufacturing, it’s important to keep in mind, well, your mind. But you can’t forget about your surroundings.

It’s what a career in our industry is centered around. And it’s what will guide your every shift. According to a study conducted at Case Western Reserve University, mindfulness is simply an individual’s self-immersion into the present.

It’s their inherent self-awareness in action. And the researcher’s data suggests that a certain level of it is positively correlated to variables such as work performance, relationships and self-concept. So when this practice is applied to manufacturing, it’s easy to see why it is preferred in new hires.

3. Wholesome Integrity

Being objective isn’t always easy. Still, it’s important to have the ability to make altruistic judgment calls when necessary.

Your integrity is your character. It’s who you are when no one is around. It’s the decisions you make no one is watching. And data from a study conducted by researchers at Carnegie Mellon suggest that an individual’s sense of integrity can be attributed to people wanting to work with them.

Plainly, this means that if you have a mindset that facilitates an understanding of your co-workers and the situations in their life, the easier you will be to work with. It really just comes down to being a good person.

4. Interactive Cooperation

Working with others, in any aspect of life, is an important feature of a quality character build. Therefore, it’s vital to be cooperative. But when placed in the context of a manufacturing career, cooperation is also a driving force towards long-term goals.

This means that to be cooperative is to engage. According to studies by the Queen’s School of Business, disengaged employees were 60 percent more likely to suffer or cause workplace accidents. In our industry, that’s something we can’t afford to happen. In some cases, that means that cooperation is vital.

In this way, to cooperate is to not only be in tune with management and their needs but your fellow coworkers and theirs, too. Because when it comes to manufacturing, safety and well being should always be top of mind.

5. Technological Comprehension

You might scoff at this one. Of course, you understand the basic mechanics of new-technology. But are you familiar with those at the businesses you are applying to? Interviewing with? Each company has their own set of standards, so it’s important to not only be aware of them but understand what it is they are.

In Forbes most recent review of workplace trends, nearly all feature an aspect of  technological innovation. Thus, the spread of different forms of technology is ever present. And you shouldn’t be left behind in the dust. In fact, you should stay up to date. Especially when it comes of manufacturing technology.

To comprehend your potential workplace environment is to understand the capabilities of each potential variable. If you succeed in this, you’ll find success in landing a career in manufacturing.

Manufacturing skills for the future

What skills does your manufacturing facility look for? What challenges have you had to overcome? We’d like to hear about them. Let us know by tweeting us at @AppleRubber.