Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Where Will You Find Your Next Generation of Workers in U.S.?

As many as one half million jobs go unfilled in manufacturing today because of the lack of qualified applicants, according to some studies. The lack of qualified applicants will be exasperated by the reshoring movement, which according to a recent report in Modern Metals magazine, will generate anywhere from one million to six million new U.S. manufacturing jobs. Add to the mix the statistic that about 75% of the industrial labor force will retire in the next 20 years and you begin to see the challenge for our economy, particularly our education system.

The Modern Metals report mentioned another challenge in the outdated and unappealing stereotypes that keep talented students, their parents, teachers and counselors from considering industrial work as a viable career option. Another need according to Modern Metals is to provide the education and training these students will need to develop their skills.

Much has been written about the programs set up by various industry groups and the government at all levels to train workers. We applaud those efforts, but more is needed. With this in mind, consider what you can do locally to ensure a steady supply of qualified job applicants.

NM Marketing works with many manufacturing companies, specializing in trade show exhibit services, public relations, B2B advertising, and much more. Learn more about how we can help you today at NM Marketing.