According to a study published last year by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, as many as 2.1 million U.S. manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030.
We’re seeing this prediction materialize in Connecticut. On February 7, the job search website Indeed.com listed 331 job openings for machinists within 25 of Hartford, reflecting a 20% increase in demand since we last checked on January 4. Manufacturers in Connecticut continue to struggle to fill these openings and most are operating with a deficit in their workforce. By now, they’ve realized that simply posting “help wanted” ads isn’t enough to fill these roles.
This month’s issue of Fabricating and Metal Working magazine featured a useful article that shares some steps manufacturers can take to find more candidates:
- Showcase the company, its technology, and the benefits of working there
Today’s clean, high-tech manufacturing facilities are very different from the factories of previous generations. Post photos and videos of your facility so potential employees can see where they’d be working. Better yet, hold an open house that includes a company tour. Explain all of the benefits of working there.
- Provide training/apprenticeships
Entice new talent with training and apprenticeship programs. In 2012, The Manufacturing Institute published an Employer’s Playbook for Building an Apprenticeship Program based on the best practices of The Dow Chemical Company, Alcoa, and Siemens Corporation. This playbook is still relevant and very useful. Developing a skilled workforce is one obvious benefit of an apprenticeship program, but countless studies show that retention rates are significantly higher among workers who have completed these programs. This can reduce onboarding and training costs in the future.
- Increase awareness about careers in manufacturing
Many young people (and their parents) aren’t aware of the vast career opportunities in manufacturing. Work with local schools to educate them. The Manufacturing Institute has several programs designed to create awareness about the career paths in manufacturing.
Helping manufacturers find and recruit skilled workers is one of the many things The Connecticut Manufacturers Resource Group (CTmrg.com) can assist with. Our Human Resources expertise, industry knowledge, and marketing capabilities combine to provide manufacturers with the right avenues and messaging to get noticed. Contact us for more information.