Whether you’re looking to take your first steps into the workforce or are considering a career change, the manufacturing industry is an excellent option. Plenty of entry-level roles are available, allowing you to start without much direct experience. However, some positions do require manufacturing experience. As a result, many aspiring candidates wonder what qualifies as manufacturing experience. If you’re among them, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Manufacturing Experience?
In a general sense, manufacturing experience involves spending time using tools, machines, or your hands to create products or components. Activities like assembly, forming, molding, joining, casting, and finishing all potentially qualify.
At times, manufacturing experience also extends into other operational areas. Machine operation, forklift driving, picking and packing, packaging, and loading and unloading are all skill areas that are present in manufacturing environments, so they potentially qualify as well.
Skills That Translate into Manufacturing Experience
Regarding skills that translate into manufacturing experience, assembly, casting, forming, joining, molding, packaging, and finishing in a production environment are the clearest examples. Those capabilities can come from nearly any time of company, though they’re traditionally acquired in an industrial setting.
Certain warehouse skills also provide value in manufacturing environments, including loading, unloading, picking, and packing. Machine and equipment operation in practically any workplace may also be manufacturing experience.
However, it’s important to note that there are educational and training paths that lead to manufacturing experience. Technical school programs focusing on advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, or similar skill areas are clear examples.
Additionally, specific transferable skills that people can acquire in various ways are valuable to manufacturing industry employers. Teamwork, communication, collaboration, time management, and problem-solving are all transferable skills. Similarly, being safety-conscious and having situational awareness are valuable in this sector.
With those transferable skills, where you develop them isn’t overly relevant. As a result, past work experience in retail and office environments can potentially translate to manufacturing experience in regard to those capabilities. Similarly, educational experiences in high school or college may also be sources of these transferable skills, as well as volunteer positions or side gigs.
How to Find an Entry-Level Manufacturing Job
Whether you already have manufacturing skills or are looking for opportunities that don’t require experience, you have options for your upcoming job search. In some cases, heading to career pages on the websites of nearby employers is an option. Similarly, you can try larger job boards or look for job listings on social media sites.
If you want to expedite your job search, partnering with a staffing firm is typically your best choice. Your recruiter may have access to unadvertised positions. Additionally, they can identify skill-building temporary jobs that can help you boost your capabilities, making it easier to qualify for permanent positions in the near future.
If you’re ready for your first manufacturing position, GSG Talent Solutions wants to hear from you. Contact us today.