# The Real Reason Manufacturers Are Missing with Gen Z w/ Jacob Sanchez

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2024-03-05
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 195
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-115d2710-f74b-4fdf-99c0-48217923ef58

## Summary

Jacob Sanchez, a Gen Z advocate for manufacturing and founder of MFGKids.com, explains why industrial companies are failing to recruit young talent by ignoring existing pools of interest like FIRST Robotics. He argues that manufacturers must move beyond passive visibility to active engagement, offering autonomy and clear growth paths to retain Gen Z workers who often leave due to poor onboarding or toxic environments. Sanchez also details his new platform, MFGKids.com, designed to centralize resources and curriculum for automation and CNC machining, while emphasizing the importance of personal branding and mental health awareness for career longevity.

## Chapters

- [0:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=37) Introduction: Jacob Sanchez and the Gen Z Workforce Gap
- [5:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=339) Jacob's Origin Story: From Cooking Class to Titans of CNC
- [11:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=666) The Autonomy Factor: Why Gen Z Workers Quit
- [14:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=879) Fishing in the Lake: Recruiting from FIRST Robotics Competitions
- [22:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=1336) Tangible Engagement: Machinist Briefcases and Robot Dogs
- [29:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=1786) Personal Branding: Building Reputation Without Selling
- [34:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=2077) MFGKids.com: Centralizing Education and Scholarships
- [41:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-03-05-the-real-reason-manufacturers-are-missing-with-gen-z-w-jacob-sanchez#t=2477) Mental Health and Final Advice for Young Professionals

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Titans of CNC (company)
- FIRST Robotics (other)
- MFGKids.com (product)
- IGIS (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Attracting the Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent with "The Manufacturing Millennial" Jake Hall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-02-23-attracting-the-next-generation-of-manufacturing-talent-with-the-manufacturing-mi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Hire Diverse Talent or Risk Going Out of Business Featuring Equity Machine Works Founder Justin Sherman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-07-hire-diverse-talent-or-risk-going-out-of-business-featuring-equity-machine-works) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [How Skills Matchmaking Technology Fills Critical Manufacturing Jobs with FactoryFix.com's Patrick O'Rahilly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-04-13-how-skills-matchmaking-technology-fills-critical-manufacturing-jobs-with-factory) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-22-bonus-a-look-inside-the-2022-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [290: Why Danny Gonzales Thinks Manufacturing Has a Storytelling Problem](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-02-290-why-danny-gonzales-thinks-manufacturing-has-a-storytelling-problem) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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