All maintenance employees are required to achieve Mechanic II level within a certain period of time or they must leave the company. Burlington offers similar training programs at all occupational levels, from hourly workers to supervisors to engineers. According to Little, the effort has helped the company recruit young people into all areas. I've always told young recruits they shouldn't pick a company based on where they'd like to retire from, but what they can learn and how they can grow within that company. When they see the excellent training programs we offer and how our culture helps them grow, it almost always gets them in the door.
Some manufacturers establish links with local schools to further ensure they'll get recruits.
For instance, Lamb Technicon, a Warren, MI-based manufacturer of machine tools for the automotive industry, has two successful programs that help them recruit students into an otherwise unexposed industry. The program teaches students about the company's products, design systems and supply processes. Then students work in the service department, and finally, in different engineering departments. Once students have a better idea about a major or career, Lamb will place them in a department that matches their desire, rather than one where the company simply needs assistance. Often, students in this program began with the company as high-school interns.