As I walked around the CAMX Exhibit Hall in San Diego in September, I was intrigued by all the new materials and processing technologies. But something else also stood out – the diversity of people in the composites and advanced materials industry. Nearly 18% of conference attendees were from outside the U.S., traveling to CAMX from 50 different countries.
There were pavilions on the exhibit floor dedicated to companies from China, Germany and India. Nikita Wood, a senior in high school, won the ACE Most Creative Application award for her work on a fully recyclable composite sandwich panel. Attendees flocked to a campfire session on empowering young professionals and the underrepresented. These are just a few examples from CAMX that underscore the changing face of our industry
This is an exciting industry that’s attracting people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. We want a broad array of people with innovative ideas to join us as we strive to make composites the material of choice. As more professionals from the baby boomer generation retire – and take their historical knowledge and vast experience with them – how are we going to attract and train the employees who will follow in their footsteps? Here are a few thoughts:
Expand technical training materials and opportunities – Bestbath encourages staff to complete ACMA’s Certified Composites Technician (CCT) program. CCT Instructor Frank Alvarez provides materials in both English and Spanish to support bilingual employees. Bestbath currently has 67 Certified Composites Technicians.
Support the next generation of leaders – ACMA recently launched its Emerging Leaders Program. A cohort of industry professionals will participate in year-long programming to enhance their leadership skills, build their network and learn how to advocate for the industry. The program will include an in-person leadership development workshop, virtual sessions, attendance at ACMA’s Composite Fly-In in June and more.
Provide forward-thinking benefits – During a panel discussion in the CAMX Theater hosted by Women in the Composites Industry, Mazda Toyota shared its new strategies for recruiting and retaining women in its Huntsville, Ala., plant, including offering childcare benefits. The automotive OEM is partnering with TOOTRiS Child Care, which developed a technology platform to facilitate affordable access to childcare.
As composite applications continue to expand into new markets – from advanced air mobility to hydrogen energy – the industry needs to embrace and support a diverse workforce. I encourage you to think about what your company can do to attract and retain employees from all walks of life. And tap into the resources offered by ACMA, such as the CCT and Emerging Leaders Program. The composites industry will thrive if we explore every avenue for talented employees.
Sincerely,
Megan Multanen
ACMA Chair of the Board
megan.multanen@bestbath.com