FEBRUARY 2019 INTERVIEW
rather than in the pay. The millennial workforce is
much more interested in quality of life and future
development than it is in raw fi nances.”
This message often gets lost on
manufacturers, who assume that raising salaries
is enough to keep their staff motivated and loyal.
Devine explains: “We do a lot with our clients on a
consultative basis, where we explain that although
the manufacturer down the road may be off ering
more money, if they were to provide opportunities
for their staff to grow, or other perks, it would
actually make them a more attractive place to
work. This also means the employees feel valued
and that their job is secure – if their employer
is investing in them, then they will feel like they
need to give something back.”
Business benefi ts
As well as cultivating a motivated and engaged
workforce, adopting a multi-skilling approach to
your staff will bring extra benefi ts to your company.
By multi-skilling them, they become more involved
in more parts of the business, and therefore have
more of an impact on its operation. “You want
your engaged, multi-skilled workers doing as much
as possible within the company,” says Devine.
“Manufacturers often struggle to engage their
employees across the whole company, so nurturing
those who are motivated and allowing them to
get involved in as much of the business as possible
will quickly reap rewards.”
Multi-skilling has benefi ts beyond the four
walls of your factory. By putting trust in your
workforce and allowing them to fl ourish and
develop new skills, you will breed a cohort of
engaged, forward-thinking manufacturers, all
of whom will be well-placed to make a real
diff erence to the company and the way it works.
Next time you’re looking for a new recruit,
maybe reconsider putting that advert in the local
paper. Instead, look inwards and tap into the
valuable resource that is sat right in front of you.
You have a pool of talent that is just waiting to
be unleashed – so utilise it.
“Any company that can off er
the chance to develop its staff
will be very attractive”
Stephanie Devine, senior consultant, HRC Recruitment
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 25
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk