How Saint-Gobain is encouraging US students to value factory work

Mark Rayfield began his professional journey collecting trash for three summers in Connecticut. It was a solid job, he reflects. Expectations were clear, and as long as you showed up, you met them. Today, as CEO of Saint-Gobain North America, Rayfield focuses on shaping the expectations of young people entering the workforce.

With concerns growing over AIs impact on white-collar roles, the French-owned building materials company has launched a workforce development initiative aimed at demonstrating that careers in construction and manufacturing can offer a rewarding trajectory, from entry-level positions to executive roles.

By inviting students to visit its factories, Saint-Gobain has significantly boosted interest in manufacturing, Rayfield explains. Employees also find it incredibly motivating to share the significance of their work. The US faces a projected shortage of 1.9 million manufacturing workers by 2033, and Rayfield emphasizes the need for skilled labor in housing construction, roofing, and drywall production.

Rayfield also identifies signs of optimism: rising college costs are pushing some students toward careers that do not require a degree, and the tight post-pandemic labor market has made recruiting and retaining employees easier. Saint-Gobains program is among several initiatives designed to improve the perception of essential-economy careers in the US, collaborating directly with peers and frontline employees rather than relying on government action.

There are now enough people actively engaged, Rayfield states. I feel progress is being made.

Interview Highlights

Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson: You recently launched this workforce development program. What challenges are you addressing?

Mark Rayfield: Over the last decade, theres been a growing need for workers in manufacturing and construction. We believe these are excellent career paths, so we want to expose high school and vocational students to what these roles truly involve. Our factories today are not the repetitive assembly lines of the 1950stheyre AI-enabled, technologically advanced, and involve complex mechanical engineering work. The Sustaining Futures, Building Communities program connects local schools with our plants, offering hands-on experience and insights into modern manufacturing careers.

AEJ: The skills pipeline has long been a concern. Whats different now?

Rayfield: Recently, theres been a shift in perception that a four-year degree isnt the only path. Students are evaluating alternatives like vocational programs or starting work and gaining skills on the job. This has brought in exceptional new talent.

AEJ: Should Washington play a bigger role in supporting initiatives like this?

Rayfield: The manufacturing industry itself is responsible for promoting these careers. By exposing young people to modern manufacturing and showing the opportunities available, we inspire interest without needing policy intervention.

AEJ: How is AI affecting manufacturing careers?

Rayfield: Digital-native employees use AI tools for problem-solving, forecasting, and system optimization in our plants. AI helps employees analyze large amounts of data, enhancing decision-making, but humans remain at the center of the process.

Currently, only 12% of US students have visited a manufacturing site. Students cannot choose a career path they have never seen, Rayfield recently noted, urging the industry to expand pathways from classrooms to factories. Meanwhile, US factories employ 94,000 fewer workers than last year, highlighting the ongoing challenge of attracting talent to this essential sector.

Shaping the Future of Manufacturing: A Personal Reflection

As the CEO of Saint-Gobain North America, Mark Rayfield is addressing a challenge that has been growing for years: the shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing and construction. Rayfield's own journey from a summer job in waste management to leading a global company highlights the importance of creating clear, attainable career paths in industries that may otherwise seem distant from the expectations of today's workforce.

Saint-Gobain’s workforce development initiative is a step in the right direction, focusing on exposing students to the reality of modern manufacturing—far removed from the old perceptions of repetitive assembly lines. By inviting students into their factories and offering hands-on experiences, the company is demonstrating that careers in construction and manufacturing can offer fulfilling long-term opportunities. This effort comes at a critical time when the U.S. faces a projected shortage of nearly 2 million manufacturing workers by 2033.

Rayfield's insight into the evolving perception of higher education is crucial. As rising college costs push more students to consider alternatives to four-year degrees, vocational programs and hands-on job experiences have become increasingly appealing. The shift in mindset among the younger generation is a promising development, but it is clear that industry leaders, not just government action, must take the lead in showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the manufacturing sector.

AI’s growing presence in manufacturing further complicates this picture. While it enhances decision-making and optimizes operations, Rayfield emphasizes that human skills remain at the heart of the process. This balance of technology and human input could help change perceptions about the role of AI in essential industries, reinforcing the need for skilled workers who can navigate both the physical and digital aspects of modern production.

In conclusion, Rayfield's leadership at Saint-Gobain exemplifies how businesses can take proactive steps to bridge the skills gap. The company's focus on attracting young talent through immersive experiences and hands-on education is not only an investment in the workforce but also an effort to reshape how we view careers in manufacturing—an essential sector that is too often overlooked by today's students.

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• How Saint-Gobain is getting US students to prize factory work