An Analysis of the Factors that Influence the Perceptions of the Manufacturing Industry Among High School Students in Macomb County, Michigan

The last 20 years have seen the manufacturing industry undergo a dramatic
transformation. What was once a monotonous, physically laborious job requiring no
post-secondary education is now a career characterized by high technology requiring
some level of post-secondary education. The availability of qualified people to work in
manufacturing is inadequate, which is partially attributable to an absence of young people pursuing these careers.
This study explored factors that influence manufacturing industry perceptions
among high schools students in Macomb County, Michigan. A survey was used to gather
the data. Quantitative methods including ANOVA and logistic regression were used to
analyze the relationship between several factors and students’ perceptions of
manufacturing, and the impact of those perceptions on their likelihood of pursuing a
career in the industry. Research revealed students who trend toward a negative
perception of manufacturing are unlikely to even consider employment in the industry as
a career option. Factors negatively influencing students’ opinions of manufacturing
include perceptions that the work is boring and carries high risk of on-the-job injury.
Factors positively influencing students’ opinions include perceptions that jobs pay well,
use high technology, and present many career advancement opportunities; taking a
manufacturing-related class; and being of the male gender.
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Stakeholders need to engage in collaborative efforts to affect positive change on
young peoples’ perceptions of the manufacturing industry. Not doing so contributes to
ineffective vocational guidance methods and allows young people to go largely
uninformed on career opportunities within this sector. As key cogs of workforce
development strategies, community colleges are positioned to prepare the manufacturing
workforce and close the skills gap. In their mission to support employers, community
colleges can enhance their value by facilitating opportunities for students to experience
manufacturing classes through collaboration with high schools and establishing career
exploration opportunities and pathways through collaboration with employers.