Recognizing all that is good

Addressing weighty issues is an important part of this column, and there will be no shortage of them to debate and discuss in 2016.

With that in mind, it seems appropriate to focus on the positive as we end an otherwise tumultuous year. And with serious and persistent concerns before us, it’s important to remember there are a lot of people in manufacturing making a difference.

For myself, it was beneficial to become acquainted with two trade organizations fighting the good fight and providing resources for the careers and industry we share: the United States Cutting Tool Institute and the Tooling, Manufacturing & Technologies Association. You should know and support both organizations, for they’re on the front lines addressing critical issues in every state, speaking for all of us who are busy making parts and payroll. While owners and managers may not be able to get out of the shop to lobby Congress about bad legislation or invest the time to review the latest and greatest cutting tools, it’s good to know they’re out there working on our behalf.

Turning to something more local, our shop accepted invitations to participate in three high school career fairs as a representative of the manufacturing and machining sectors. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough shops showing up at these events, but the impact of our participation was evident.

Much has been said about the potentially murky future of machining careers and subsequent efforts to recruit young talent. But hope is alive, as I witnessed the sincere appreciation of so many young people looking to find their role in the world. All it takes is a willingness to talk, listen and brainstorm with them.

Our shop’s setup wasn’t fancy, just a small table with a banner, some company material, a laptop with photos of our shop and parts-making activities, and two employees who enjoy the opportunity to talk and share their insight. The result was a captivated group of teenagers.

When you’re immersed in the shop grind every day, it’s easy to overlook the necessity of recruiting your future workforce, but the gratitude and sincere interest of the attendees inspired us to do even more, promoting applicable careers and moving forward with a smile. They simply don’t hear it enough.

For myself, seeing my oldest son, a high school senior, develop an interest in the family business and the opportunities it can offer was definitely a highlight. Not only has he developed an interest, but he shared that interest with friends, who were also motivated to learn about the machining and welding that occurs behind our metal walls. I’m not sure if they’ll pursue a metalworking career, but the spark in their eyes and their excitement at the thought of it gave me hope.

As parents, mentors, owners and managers, it’s our turn to inspire and encourage, as was hopefully done for us. With the barrage of bad news in the world, it’s no wonder the outlook of today’s youth is uncertain. But we have the power—and the duty—to move forward with optimism and determination. Without it, we’re doomed; with it, our shops have a future.

Be thankful for whatever good occurred this year, and let’s make 2016 even better. A lot of people are depending on us. Happy holidays to all!