The next generation of workers needs to understand how to be successful.

What we desperately need, or more specifically, what the West desperately needs is a generation of workers who understand and believe in the three critical “Cs” – commitment, concern and consistency.

The next generation – or generations – entering the workforce by and large offer impressive credentials. Tech savvy is one such attribute. It is especially important for an industry like ours to have employees who understand the technologies the industry produces. The current generation has also demonstrated an uncanny ability to multitask while using technology, which bodes well for the factory floor needs of the future. Regrettably, that is where the impressive credentials all too often end.

Alas, the next generation of shop floor employees too often demonstrates some not-so-impressive traits. Among these are poor communication skills – both writing and verbal – lackadaisical adherence to work schedule demands, and a lack of interest in what is happening up and down the process flow. Regrettably, these unimpressive habits transcend their impressive skills.

What is missing in this equation? The three personal traits that historically have separated the successful from the not so: commitment, concern and consistency!

Commitment should be the easiest trait to find, yet it rarely is. Commitment covers many facets of daily life, from showing up to work on time, each day, every day, regardless of external issues that get in the way. Everyone wakes up sometimes feeling tired or achy from an activity they did over the weekend. We also, from time to time, have an activity that keeps us out later than normal, but seasoned employees know that when the bell rings, they must be onsite and ready to work. Legitimate sick days are understandable, but too many next-generation employees call in “sick” when they just don’t feel like working.

Commitment is knowing that to progress, to earn more, to get promoted – to have a solid career – takes sucking it up and demonstrating your commitment to do the best you can, day in and day out. Commitment is looking yourself in the mirror and knowing you are taking the steps, no matter how challenging, to better yourself.

As important as commitment is, so is concern – concern that what you are doing is helping make a better product (or not making defective product) and concern that you are respectfully communicating to those around you in a way they understand.

Too many next-generation employees do the bare-bones minimum to complete their task, without caring whether the task has been done correctly. These workers do not understand their marginal quality negatively impacts the entire process flow. Concern is caring about how well you do your job, and ensuring you are not causing problems for those who next touch the product, or ultimately, the customer. Concern is doing your job well while taking a 360° look around to make sure what you do is not causing problems for others. Concern is showing interest in not just your job, but the job your coworkers are doing, so together, high-quality product is delivered to the customer!

Having commitment and concern is fine, but only if both are consistently deployed.

Consistency may be the most difficult for younger people. Consistency embodies commitment and concern, but it adds one other characteristic: responsibility. Consistency is doing it right the first time, every time. Consistency is getting a quality job done even when you “just don’t feel like it.” Consistency is like being that home run hitter who works tirelessly at hitting just because they want to be consistently good.

Commitment, concern and consistency are what separate those who succeed from those who founder, regardless of vocation, industry or location. These three traits are how the West became a manufacturing and economic powerhouse. Likewise, employees with these traits are also why Asia has become an economic powerhouse today.

It is imperative that we in the West follow the lead of other global powers and engage with the next generation, explaining what it takes for success in the manufacturing environment. Perhaps more important, teachers, be they in vocational or traditional high schools, must understand that manufacturing can be a phenomenal career path, especially for those who have the commitment, concern and consistency to succeed.

Peter Bigelow is president of FTG Circuits Haverhill; (imipcb.com); pbigelow@imipcb.com. His column appears monthly.