That was the consensus among industry representatives who attended AIST’s University-Industry Relations Roundtable, which met Monday in Philadelphia, Pa., USA. Monday marked the opening of AISTech 2018, AIST's annual conference and exposition. The event continues through Wednesday.  

During the discussion, mill operators reported feeling a heightened sense of urgency in their hiring and recruiting efforts, more so now than in the past four or five years. And while they said they continue to battle inaccurate perceptions that the industry is antiquated, they now face the additional competitive pressures that arise from a healthy economy.

“The competition is very high right now,” one operator said.

However, roundtable participants noted that internships are proving to be a valuable recruiting tool.

“If we can get them into the plant, we can get rid of that stigma,” the operator said. 

Another said that his company has found that they are more 15% more likely to retain a new hire if that individual had served as an intern with the company.

“They understand what they’re getting into,” he said.