Young Auto Engineers Say Their Employers Don’t Measure Up

Only one-third of U.S. automotive engineers below the age of 36 agree that their work experience matches the way their employers’ portray themselves publicly.

So says research commissioned by global marketing services provider Weber Shandwick and conducted by Interpublic Group’s KRC Research unit.

The findings are bad news for carmakers and suppliers that are struggling to find the technical talent they need in today’s hyper-competitive environment, according to Weber Shandwick. It says the results underscore the importance for companies of delivering on a value proposition that matches the expectations of incoming Millennial employees.

The Employer Brand Credibility Gap polled 1,900 full-timers in 19 markets worldwide, including more than 200 young auto engineers in the U.S.

The study finds incoming engineers less likely than retiring Baby Boomers to recommend their employers to others (79% compared with 92%). More important, Millennial engineers are twice as likely to share negative views with potential customers or job candidates.

The research also finds an “alarming” lack of trust in company management by young women engineers. Only 18%—half the ratio of Millennial males—say they trust their companies’ leaders. Both groups are about the same in terms of employee engagement.

But the study says two-thirds of women compared with half of men say they put in more effort than their jobs require. And only 28% of young female engineers would recommend their employer as a place to work compared with 45% of young male engineers who would do so.