No one knows better than Millennials what inspires their aspirations for not just a career or job — but a vocation they can feel passionate about.
For insights into what drives Millennials’ decisions about when and where to work, Connecticut manufacturing and related employers affiliated with the New Haven Manufacturers Association invited four to participate in a recent panel discussion at Stratford’s Two Roads Brewing Co.
The empaneled new generation of technologists: Allison Carey, production manager at her family’s Carey Manufacturing Co., Cromwell; Alex Daci, of his family’s Amirex Co. in Bridgeport; Allison Greene, an organic chemist for German manufacturer BYK Inc. in Wallingford; and Henry Lucas, a tool-and-die apprentice at Milford’s Bead Industries.
Weston “Wes” Ulbrich, a fourth-generation manufacturer at Wallingford’s Ulbrich Steel, moderated the session.
More than two dozen Connecticut manufacturing owners and executives listened intently as the quartet, ranging in age from early 20s to early 30s, each gave various reasons for choosing to work in manufacturing. All, with either two- or four-year degrees or certifications in hand, agreed it was the challenge of using their hands and brains to create real things that make a difference.
Their job-satisfaction insights are of particular interest to state manufacturers, particularly Pratt & Whitney and Electric Boat, scrambling to hire and train the next generation of skilled production workers.
Two — Carey and Daci — said they purposely avoided going to work in their families’ production businesses initially, but eventually made their way back — and now thrive in it.
Lucas’ family’s manufacturing roots run deep, with his father, grandfather and grandmother garnering their livelihoods from it.
“I’ve always had my eyes on manufacturing,’’ said Lucas, a graduate of Housatonic Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program.
He chose production “to get my hands on and work on things.” Lucas said the mentoring he got while enrolled at Housatonic has continued at Bead. In particular, he said Bead’s veteran toolmakers have been eager “to pass on what they know so it wouldn’t be lost’’ and that he has been more than eager to absorb it.
Greene, too, says she wanted to be more hands-on in creating “things that will be impactful,’’ and joined BYK because it offered “really quick product research and development … .’’
Ulbrich said the quartet “were further proof that the private manufacturing sector in Connecticut is in good health. They’re a great example of some of the best professional talent that our state has to offer, though public consensus seems to be that local companies need to recruit and retain Millennials.”
“Connecticut has the talent, who are willing to lead the next generation,’’ Ulbrich said. “We just need more of them to stay in the state.”
Millennial Jill Mayer, CEO of family-run Bead Industries, which includes Bead Electronics, where Lucas is an apprentice, listened as the panelists shared insights. Mayer said she hopes senior manufacturers, especially those with hiring responsibilities, embraced what they heard.
“It will help if they’ll listen,’’ Mayer said. “But do they have a choice?’’
