The Manufacturing Institute explains that, over the next decade, companies will need to fill about 4.6 million positions, leaving the field of manufacturing extremely vulnerable to collapsing on itself as it struggles to keep up with demand. With newfound growth and innovation, manufacturers have rebounded from the 2009 recession, but they face a new problem of not being able to find enough workers. It is time that the industry faces this crisis head-on by developing a workforce that will be around for the next decade.
Whether the lack of interested candidates is due to different generational demands, opioid regulations, or difficulty maintaining a competitive work environment, manufacturing has had trouble getting people in the door for quite some time. The key is not only to attract the future workforce but also to keep them for the long term. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in April 2019 that the number of American workers who voluntarily quit their jobs was the highest it had been since 2001, at about 2.3%. The biggest reason according to hayes.com is corporate culture, in fact, they said that 71% of employees would accept a pay cut just to get a better job — in other words — it is not about money all the time.
So what do you do as an employer? As a manufacturer, how do you with other career choices that allow employees to work remotely and more flexible hours? The answer is the way you treat those who are already employed by your company. You cannot assume that a machinist working the third shift on the plant floor doesn’t value getting out of the building to work on their industry knowledge — to grow their career potential. By cultivating an environment where your employees are valued, enabled, and taught to be self-sufficient, you will create a culture in which others will want to work. The key to doing all that is by investing in your employees through training and education.
Time and time again, management worries that by spending money on their employees’ education, they are going to lose them in the long run for a different opportunity. Job-hopping among the younger generations is a real concern, but not because they don’t have good work ethic. Instead, it stems from a lack of opportunity to grow. According to a Sitel Group study, 92% of U.S. employees agree that learning something new on the job makes them more motivated and engaged in their work. The more motivated they are, the more invested they become in your company, resulting in better work.
If you do not have a current strategy for formal training or education programs, you should start talking to your employees about what they might like to learn that isn’t offered already. You might be surprised by what they tell you. In manufacturing, it can be hard to think about changing the culture of an industry that has been a certain way for many decades, but long gone are the days where we can expect growth without innovation. With new technology, global relationships, and an evolving workforce, employers should embrace the change and look for education classes, conferences, and networking events that they can send their employees to.
If you are looking for some good places to start, check out your industry associations. Want to get started right away? Attend the inaugural Motion + Power Technology Expo debuting the MPT Conference — in addition to education and technical sessions — where you will have many cost-effective training opportunities for all levels of your company.
About the MPT Conference
The MPT Conference showcases 16 companies presenting topics including: supply chain, economic forecasts, IIoT, electric drive technology, 3D printing, robotics, contract negotiations, cybersecurity and workforce development. Five CEOs, one CTO, four vice presidents, four directors, and two managers are coming to the Cobo Center in Detroit this October 15-17, to share their tips and best practices in this two-track conference: Emerging Technology and Business Intelligence. It is the perfect place to bring multiple people from your company to help them succeed.
About MPT Expo
Visit MPT Expo to see the full power transmission supply chain, and stay to learn everything you need to be current and successful in today’s market at the MPT Conference. Attendees receive free admission to the exhibit hall with conference registration. Come see where the power transmission industry does business and teach your workforce of the future.
