The availability of a skilled workforce has become one of the most critical issues in economic development today. Growing one’s economy relies on a community’s ability to cultivate a skilled workforce that meets current demands.
In Steuben County, manufacturing jobs account for just over 11% of total jobs, making the industry an important segment of the county’s economic output. The industry also has traditionally had an older working population than others in Steuben County with a higher-than-average number of individuals deciding to retire compared to other industries in the region. This has placed a spotlight on these important job opportunities.
Understanding the demographics of the county’s manufacturing community, Steuben County IDA (IDA) has invested in a series of manufacturing career videos to highlight modern manufacturing and the opportunities available. In the first round, videos were filmed at Alstom, Gunlocke, Siemens Energy, Instant Brands, BelGioioso (formerly Upstate Farms Cheese), and Corning Incorporated.
The IDA is proud to release two more manufacturing career videos in partnership with Mercury Integrated Manufacturing. These next videos highlight jobs in metal forming and inventory control at the company’s Hammondsport plant and can be found here on the agency’s website.
The videos are geared towards middle and high school students to promote manufacturing jobs at Mercury and the opportunities they can provide high school graduates to grow with the company.
Mercury’s President, Joseph F. Meade IV, further explained, “Modern manufacturing combines hands-on trades with innovative technology such as computer-aided machines and robotics combined with progressive software programs. Our equipment and manufacturing methods are increasingly digital, requiring operators that are skilled in a trade and technology. We are looking for graduates that are skilled in both, that are also driven, collaborative, and creative to be leader in the next generation of manufacturing.”
All the videos have been tailored for use during manufacturing career events to demonstrate the opportunities available. Efforts like this have helped increase the popularity of manufacturing and other trade jobs by encouraging students to consider career paths within the industry which allow room for creativity, problem-solving, good wages, and work flexibility.
James Johnson, Executive Director of Steuben County IDA, feels that it is not only important for students to understand the many jobs available in manufacturing, but also critical to educate parents/guardians, school staff, and the community to dispel myths about the repetitious, dirty jobs of the past.
“As the videos portray, these are not your father’s manufacturing jobs,” said Johnson. “The opportunities presented in today’s manufacturing environment require skilled employees who can handle different tasks, manage their own workstations, and collaborate within a team to complete a project.”
The Manufacturing Institute estimates there will be 4 million manufacturing jobs to fill between now and 2030. As the designated economic development organization for Steuben County, the IDA is tasked with increasing the economic prosperity of the residents of Steuben County. There is no better way to do this than to promote growth and opportunities from within, which is exactly what the video effort is intended to do.