LIVINGSTON, NJ – July 28, 2026 – Earlier this year as part of its quest to welcome more new professionals into manufacturing, Inteplast Group was a Silver Sponsor at the (FAME) Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education’s Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.
Human Resources Manager Charlana Holcomb used her observations from the conference to fortify general hiring practices at the Dalton, GA, plant where she works. Holcomb adds that FAME has a partnership with Inteplast Engineered Films in Prattville, AL, but manufacturers can find many avenues to attract the newest generation of professionals.
Holcomb notes that apprenticeship programs and connections with local educational institutions build significant bridges between Generation Z and opportunities in manufacturing. This is essential, particularly as Generation X begins preliminary considerations for retirement on the heels of Boomers, more than 60 percent of whom have already retired. Holcomb says that Inteplast considers three major factors in attracting the best and brightest into one of the companies hundreds of facilities across the United States. She shares three driving factors for Inteplast Group’s success:
Factor One: Offer competitive pay and be transparent about it. Whether we want to admit it or not, compensation is a major factor for today’s job seekers. Many young people want to understand what they can earn, what the starting pay looks like, and how they can increase their income over time. While pay isn’t the only thing that matters, it is an important part of attracting top talent.
Inteplast careers across all of its locations can be found here: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/inteplast/CANDIDATEPORTAL
Factor Two: Show that manufacturing is a career, not just a job. People want to know that there is room to grow. Highlighting advancement opportunities, training programs, tuition assistance, and career development helps them see that manufacturing can provide a long-term future.
Human Resources staff at Inteplast Group often attend job fairs and create meaningful relationships with high school guidance counselors and career advisors at local community colleges and trade schools.
Factor Three: Change the perception of manufacturing. Many people still have an outdated view of what manufacturing looks like. Showing the technology, automation, innovation, and the variety of careers available, and how they can help students understand that modern manufacturing is a very different industry than they may imagine. Building a strong workplace culture where employees feel valued is also a big part of attracting and retaining talent.
“FAME is doing important work to develop skilled maintenance and manufacturing talent, and the conference gave us the opportunity to explore how Inteplast can support and benefit from those efforts in areas where local chapters exist,” Holcomb said.
Barbie Keck, director of Human Resources at Inteplast Group, said manufacturing career paths need continual illumination, especially with the evolution of technological integration at plants and warehouses.
“Apprenticeships and internships are more than workforce development – they are investments in people, communities, and shape the future of manufacturing. Combining hands-on experiences with structured learning creates one of the most powerful tools for closing the skills gap in manufacturing. We look forward to growing these programs at our Inteplast Group companies,” said Keck.
Tony Davis, FAME national director said, “The FAME USA Network is stronger because of the individuals who work in this network every single day and the conference is a great way to share that expertise and ensure that all of our employers are able to effectively create stronger pipelines to fill these critically important manufacturing roles across our country.”
The FAME Conference, which is held by The Manufacturing Institute, the 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers brings together employers, colleges, and community support partners to network and share best practices on how to create stronger chapters. This year, a record-breaking 260 attendees were at the conference.
About Inteplast Group
Established in 1991, Inteplast Group is a leading integrated plastics and paper manufacturer founded on the ideals of American manufacturing. Our products support diverse markets including healthcare, foodservice, packaging, building products, grocery, retail, sanitation, industrial, and graphic arts industries. Headquartered in Livingston, N.J., Inteplast Group is now more than 10,000 employees strong and operates more than 100 facilities worldwide, including our flagship manufacturing complex in Lolita, Texas. Our dedicated and experienced people are committed to delivering quality products and partnering with our customers to enable their success. Visit https://www.inteplast.com for more information.
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