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Talking About MFG DAY - So Many Jobs, Too Few Skilled Workers

brad nyczmfgdayToday's post is inspired by MFG DAY, which is being celebrated on Friday (October 3rd).  According to its organizers, "MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is – and what it isn't. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry."

We hear a lot about the skilled labor shortage in the US.  In a  2011 study published by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute,  67% of manufacturers surveyed reported a moderate to severe shortage of available, qualified workers.  Various strategies have been proposed to address this talent shortage including more purposeful outreach to women, offering flex options to older workers, apprenticeship programs for young workers, etc.

One organization that is addressing this issue head on is Kronos customer Pioneer Metal Finishing,  a 70 year old provider of metal finishing services with locations across the United States and Mexico.  I spoke with their Director of Human Resources, Brad Nycz to learn about what they are doing to attract and retain the talent they need to position themselves for continued growth.  Brad and I discussed the following issues, among others.

  1. What are common misconceptions about jobs in manufacturing?
  2. What can be done to address the skills gap that many manufacturers face as they search for the talent they need?
  3. What are some of the benefits and advantages of the manufacturing industry that you would share with young workers considering their career options?
  4. There is a very low percentage of women in the manufacturing workforce, only 24 percent even though nearly 50 percent of the American workforce is comprised of women. What opportunities do you think there are for women in this industry that might go unnoticed?

You can listen to a podcast of our conversation below.

 

Are you a manufacturer?  What are you doing to attract and retain the talent you need?

 

 

 

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