Tooling U-SME report shows manufacturers not doing enough to address workforce challenges

Tooling U-SME, Cleveland, has released “Industry Pulse: 2018 Manufacturing Workforce Report.” The study reveals that the manufacturing skills gap continues to hinder large portions of the industry and represents a significant impediment and threat to manufacturing growth and the adoption of new technologies.

The report highlights the most pressing training and development pain points manufacturers encounter today and the challenges they will face in the next three years. According to the report, the top business challenges for manufacturers are finding, upskilling, and onboarding talent—even for most otherwise successful companies. Manufacturers recognize the challenge of the skills gap, but far too many fail to upgrade or change their workforce development and training from what they've always done. Overlooking this vital factor, which in large part is under their own control, exacerbates the problems posed by the skills gap and retiring workforce.

Key findings from the report reveal some jarring realities for manufacturers as the 2020s approach:

• The overwhelming majority of manufacturers say they will face significant challenges developing a skilled workforce in the next three years: finding experienced new hires (99 percent); upskilling the incumbent workforce (92 percent); and onboarding new employees (84 percent).
• Despite the clear need for stronger training and development, only 41 percent of manufacturers agree their company trains people to develop skills.
• Retaining trained employees also is a challenge; 43 percent of manufacturers average 20 percent or higher annual turnover.
• Respondents blame lack of management commitment and resources—such as funding, time, and training—for not investing in workforce learning and development.

Even in the face of these challenges, companies can execute strategies now to ward off the skills gap. Developing a strong onboarding process, instituting a formal training program, encouraging continual education, and properly upskilling those responsible for training workers will help companies maintain a highly skilled workforce.