10 Qualities the Best Industrial Operators Tend to Have

What is an industrial operator and what makes an operator successful? Find out with NRTC Automation.

An industry operator is a crucial employee of any industry set up, as he or she is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining a safe and high-functioning production line by ensuring that everything is running smoothly and at the required capacity.

An ideal industrial operator is said to have strong attention to detail and be an excellent team worker. Learn more about the other qualities an industrial operator must have to be successful.

Top 10 qualities the best industrial operators tend to have

Hiring a skilled and reliable industrial operator is a great first step to ensuring seamless industrial operations and preventing different kinds of avoidable accidents or injuries on the job.

Staffing industrial workers in a production or manufacturing plant will always have its own unique challenges. However, you can always partner with NRTC Automation to help you hire and train the ideal industrial operator.

Let’s look at some of the top qualities you should look for in your next industrial operator.

1. Excellent communication skills

As an industrial operator, one is expected to work closely with other teams in the production chain. Good communication skills and willingness to work with a team ensure that all daily industrial operations run smoothly to increase efficiency and productivity constantly.

The best industrial operators tend to possess leadership qualities, excellent communication being one of them, to be able to coordinate different teams so that everything can run smoothly.

2. An industrial operator needs to be able to think on their feet

The ideal industrial operator needs to be a quick thinker. For example, if one of the industrial equipment starts acting up, the industrial operator should have the capability to develop a solution or alternative rapidly to prevent downtime on the factory floor.

An industrial operator should also be capable of resolving production schedule conflicts and coming up with even more efficient ways to produce and meet the required quotas.

3. They must have the know-how to handle different industrial equipment

The ideal industrial operator should be able to operate most of the equipment in the warehouse, from safety equipment such as light guards to large CNC machines found on the factory floor.

This wide capacity in machine knowledge essential in determining the most efficient and cost-effective way of acquiring the same end product.

Such knowledge can also come in handy, especially in a time of danger. Therefore, knowing safety protocols and procedures is quite important.

4. Industrial operators must be detail-oriented

Another important skill that an industrial operator should possess is the ability to pay close attention to detail and having a high concentration level.

In addition, being able to perform repetitive tasks every day for a long period without losing focus is necessary for optimal performance.

5. They need to be technically literate

As an industrial operator, you should be able to look at a schematic or blueprint and read it. This is an important skill, especially for an industrial operator as it is vital to their daily roles.

Technical literacy allows an industrial operator to make sense of different production processes, solve basic production problems, and increase the production line’s efficiency levels.

6. Be open and accountable

Everyone has weaknesses and strengths, and as an industrial operator, you should be able to know when to ask for help or when to consult with your superiors and juniors.

Also, when mistakes occur, industrial operators will take charge and look to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

7. Be a teacher for others

One of the roles of an industrial operator is not just to honor the skills of the more experienced employees.

An ideal industrial operator should also be able to identify the less-experienced employees and help them nurture their skills and knowledge about industrial equipment operations.

8. Industrial operators should develop a sense of ownership of the industrial equipment

An ideal industrial operator will develop some sense of ownership of the industrial equipment to ensure that the equipment operates accordingly each day.

They should also be able to identify the capabilities and limitations of each machine in the industry. In short, the ideal industrial operator should care about the operation of industrial equipment and the productivity level as the manufacturer would.

9. Have great hand-eye coordination

Good hand-eye coordination is key to safety in a manufacturing setting. For example, industrial cranes have hydraulic joints to pinpoint the crane claw correctly. Without proper hand-eye coordination, one is more likely to damage equipment or even injure other employees.

10. Willingness to get their hands dirty

Finally, being open to messiness is the icing on the cake. Manufacturing lines can be dirty, greasy places, and industrial operators need to be ready to get into the mess if necessary.

As you can see, industrial operators are key employees in manufacturing with a variety of skills. These skills allow operators to carry out their jobs to their best ability.

FIND YOUR NEXT INDUSTRIAL OPERATOR WITH NRTC

Industrial operators are the heartbeat of any processing or manufacturing industry. Hiring the right industrial operator will ensure the smooth running of your industrial operations.

At NRTC Automation, we can help you find a top-quality industrial operator. So don't waste your precious time finding a needle in a haystack. Partner with NRTC Automation! We will train your current set of employees with the latest robotic and industrial equipment operation trends.

How to Hire Experienced Technicians for Your Business

Manufacturing may be in a hiring slump, but with these tips, you can find the right technician for the job. 

Hiring is a risky business. It takes time to find qualified people for a job, and if you choose the wrong person, the results can be disastrous. 

And that’s not to mention manufacturing’s current worker shortage. 

Learn how to overcome these barriers to recruiting and hiring technicians below. 

How to hire experienced technicians for your business 

Difficulties of hiring in manufacturing 

There is a shortage of qualified workers in manufacturing. 

By 2030, the manufacturing industry will be short of 2.5 million workers. These hiring challenges create gaps in the workplace, making it difficult for manufacturers to meet their production goals. 

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped, either. People fear unemployment during these uncertain times and are searching for industries with lower unemployment rates. 

Despite common public fear, automation cannot take over everyone’s job. We need experienced, qualified individuals to help run our manufacturing facilities. 

Importance of finding quality employees 

Hiring Joe Schmoe off the street may close the gap in your production line, but it could cause far more pervasive issues throughout your facility. 

Hiring unqualified workers can lead to these problems: 

• Lower product quality 

• Machine failure due to improper use or maintenance 

• Increased lead time 

• Unplanned downtime 

• Work-related issues between employees 

That’s why it’s important to find the right people for the job. You can save hundreds of thousands of dollars on unplanned downtime or product recalls by taking the time to select experienced individuals. 

Steps to find experienced technicians for your business 

If you are in need of technicians on the warehouse floor, take these four steps. 

1. GET CREATIVE. 

Dump the traditional recruiting methods like local paper advertisements for modern methods: 

• Social media advertising: Get on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to advertise your job. If you already have a following, you can target people who have already expressed interest in your company. If you don’t, create an account and start building your online presence with a job offer! 

• Online job boards: People have moved online to search for everything, from employment to housing. Post your job on sites like Indeed to reach an expansive audience. 

• Events: Since COVID-19, group gatherings have been limited and require face coverings and social distancing. However, if gatherings are allowed in your area, then host a hiring event! You’ll meet your applicants face-to-face and get a better idea of the people you are targeting. 

These newer forms of job recruitment may be foreign to you, but they provide an easier way to access more people, including people who are qualified and interested in your job. 

2. OFFER INCENTIVES. 

Does your company offer a 401(k) match? What about free lunches on Fridays or parental leave? 

All of these incentives will drive applicants to your job. People want to work in a place that honors their needs and wants. 

If you don’t currently offer incentives such as the above, then start looking into some that your company can afford. Not only will you drive more traffic to your job application, but your current employees will be compelled to stay longer as well. 

3. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. 

You’ve gotten some applications and you are ready to interview. This is the hard part. 

Know the right questions to ask, and how to ask them. Don’t give applicants an easy way out with a leading question. For example, "You’ve worked on KUKA robots, haven’t you?” is a leading question because it suggests that the applicant should say yes. Use open-ended phrasing like “What robots have you worked on in the past?” to get an accurate answer. 

Additionally, be sure to ask questions that probe both hard and soft skills. You don’t want to hire someone with brilliant technical skills but lacks any communication skills. You can ask scenario-based questions to determine how a person will work with other people. 

4. BE OPEN TO TRAINING THE RIGHT PERSON. 

If someone checks nearly all your boxes, but they are missing one vital skillset, then consider training them. Putting time and resources into an employee who meets your criteria is a long-term investment. 

For example, they may be highly capable at debugging and troubleshooting, but need help learning how to perform robot cleaning and degreasing. Training your employees will provide them with new skills and show them that you want them to stay in the company. 

NRTC Automation offers Robotic Training Services to get your staff on the right track. Learn more about how we can tailor our training to your company here. 

Start looking for the right personnel for your company 

The best time to start recruiting is now. Take advantage of the tips listed above to find the right person for the job. 

If you need technicians but lack the resources to recruit, NRTC Automation can help! Our Engineering Services will recruit, interview, and hire qualified technicians. We make it easy for you to finish the job with the right personnel. 

Learn more about our Engineering Services today. 

GET HIRING HELP FROM NRTC AUTOMATION 

NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all its customers.  

From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services. 

Schedule a free consultation with us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your production goals. 

4 Tips to Hire a Manufacturing Professional

The market for manufacturing professionals is waning, but you can still recruit quality employees for your business by changing your strategy. 

Setting and forgetting a job application online to attract candidates doesn’t work the way it used to. There is a flooded job market, and yet manufacturing professionals are becoming sparser. 

With NRTC Automation’s Engineering Services, you can get quality technicians and other employees for your business. We also offer a few tips on how to recruit applicants on your own. 

Learn more about hiring manufacturing professionals below! 

Hiring Manufacturing Professionals for Your Business 

Hiring employees in manufacturing is becoming more difficult. 

Not only are there fewer people looking for jobs in manufacturing, particularly people with robotics degrees, but there are even fewer people who are qualified for the jobs they are applying for. 

This can be problematic for companies looking to hire manufacturing professionals to run and lead their businesses. A lack of workers means manufacturing businesses can’t grow to the extent that they may be able to otherwise. 

NRTC Automation’s Robotic Engineering Services 

A shortage of manufacturing workers doesn’t mean you have to suffer, though. You can find companies, like NRTC Automation’s Robotic Engineering Services, to recruit employees for you. NRTC uses specialized databases and applications to find qualified and dependable technicians and other professionals for your business. 

If you want to recruit manufacturing professionals yourself, then consider our tips for recruiting and what to look for in applicants below. 

How to Recruit Manufacturing Professionals 

Use these tips to hire manufacturing professionals and make it easier to recruit the qualified people you need for your company. 

1. Build your pipeline by offering training to young workers. Hiring younger people, and giving them industry training, is worth the frontload investment. By training new graduates and other young people, you can keep employees long-term that will be able to train new employees hired after them. 

2. Use social media to recruit professionals. While it may not seem like it at first glance, social media is an excellent way to attract potential employees. Most people are on social media and use their phones daily to scroll and find new content. You can post your hiring advertisement on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and any other platform you use. With social media, you can broaden your audience and engage the right people for your company. 

3. Expand your pool. Until recently, the majority of people working in manufacturing have been men. However, in recent years, women have been encouraged to apply themselves to STEM jobs like industrial automation and manufacturing. Seek out women in the field, as well as other minorities such as veterans and people of color, to expand your hiring pool and get qualified professionals into your company. 

4. Share your employees’ stories. To make your company more appealing to applicants, try crafting a story out of your employees’ experiences. You can show your company culture while displaying the day-to-day activities of an employee in your business. Storytelling humanizes the job application and makes it more enticing to your audience. 

The hiring process requires more creativity now more than ever due to increasing competition between companies. The tips above will allow your company to eclipse other applications and get the qualified professionals you need to succeed. 

What to Look for When Hiring a Manufacturing Professional 

When looking through applications and interviewing, you should consider what qualities your ideal candidate should have. 

Along with technical skills, we suggest that your candidate has all these attributes to benefit your company: 

• Timeliness: Being punctual is necessary in manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be committed to timeliness to ensure that your production line is working as it should at all times.  

• Attention to detail: Working on products and with machines requires attention to detail to complete the task properly. Overlooking tasks or forgetting a necessary step in the process is not only dangerous, but it compromises the quality of your product. That’s why your candidate should be detail-oriented. 

• A penchant for safety: As mentioned above, overlooking tasks can be dangerous. Your manufacturing team relies on each individual to practice safety precautions so the work can be done properly and without accidents. When interviewing your candidate, see how they feel about safety standards and ask how they have upheld them in the past. 

• Experience: Look for candidates who not only have experience in the job you are interviewing for, but try to get applicants who have broader experience in similar fields. You can utilize a well-rounded employee in more than one area of your business. 

• Soft skills: Last but not least, you should always look for candidates who have soft skills on top of the other attributes we mentioned. Soft skills are the key to communication between teams, good leadership, and better customer relations. Observe how your candidate interacts with you during the interview and ask several situational questions to see how they may react. 

While this is by no means an exhaustive list of traits your candidate should have, these are the major qualities your candidate should have to bring the most value to your company. 

GET HELP WITH HIRING WITH NRTC AUTOMATION. 

NRTC Automation can help you find skillful and experienced technicians for your manufacturing company with our Robotic Engineering Services. We’ll do the recruiting work for you and find the best candidate to fit your needs. 

We also offer automation services like industrial robot refurbishing, robotic training, and service parts manufacturing so you can build your manufacturing company. 

Contact NRTC Automation today to learn more about how we can transform your business.