Fair, Anderson Langerman
3 ways to overcome the manufacturing talent gap
Updated: Aug 17, 2022
As an aging manufacturing workforce retires, the amount of younger talent to replace it has dwindled, resulting in 600,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs that are currently unfilled, according to the Manufacturing Institute.
To combat the loss of older workers, manufacturers need to be proactive in obtaining talent. Here are three ways your company can help bridge the talent gap.
Offer training programs. Whether it’s an apprenticeship, on-the-job training or a training course prior to being placed on the job, offering some sort of training will provide you with an untapped pool of employees and allow you to mold their skills to your needs.
Consider temporary employees. Staffing firms can provide workers with technical sophistication in the manufacturing industry, and oftentimes, you can utilize a temp-to-hire model that allows you to hire employees after a test-drive if you think they are a good fit.
Engage youth. Partner with a local school to offer internships, vocational programs or classroom activities (check out National Instruments’ LEGO MINDSTORMS program) to get tomorrow’s workforce interested in manufacturing.