Are We Engaging Our Future Workforce Effectively?

The Powder Coating Institute’s mission is to serve its members by promoting and communicating the benefits of powder coating technology. To carry out our mission well into the future, we not only need to ensure the consistent innovation of the technology and its application processes, but we should also promote industry-related workforce opportunities to increase interest in the technology.

We rely on our membership for fuel to carry the industry forward. And, our industry’s needs are widely varied—from technology and applied science to product development, marketing and of course coating application. Through the PCI® Scholarship program, we have taken the first steps in attracting a younger workforce into the powder coating industry. But, we aren’t the only ones trying to draw in new blood. According to the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), the U.S. manufacturing industry alone directly employs 12 million workers, currently has 250,000 open positions, and has a presence in nearly every education level—attracting students from an early age.

Additionally, there is an entire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) movement that many industries have latched on to within the education system to ensure a viable future for their workforces. We need these young STEM-educated minds in our industry and in our association.

What is your company doing to ensure a sustainable workforce? How are you introducing your young professionals, interns and recent college graduates to PCI®? If the Powder Coating Institute is going to continue fulfilling its mission well into the future, our membership is going to have to engage the younger workforce in association activities and committees. We would love to hear from you!

Tamara Hancock is membership and marketing director for the Powder Coating Institute. She can be reached at thancock@powdercoating.org