With the national unemployment rate hovering at just under 10% and manufacturing being one of the hardest hit industries, the idea of a talent shortage in manufacturing may be hard to believe. But according to a recent study published by Deloitte, The Manufacturing Institute, and Oracle, the talent shortage is a reality, at least when it comes to specific skills and sectors.

And if manufacturers stick to the old ways of managing and developing their employees, that shortage will persist.

One of the key problems, according to the study, is that manufacturers fail to cultivate the talent they already have to create the flexible and high-skilled workforce they want. Ways to work towards this goal include:

• Providing clear and consistent communication of business strategy and objectives to employees
  
• Using formal training and certification programs within your existing work force to enhance existing skill sets
  
• Providing training programs to employees on new technologies
  
• Deploying more technology to support the entire spectrum of talent management.

The underlying message of the study is this: “The industry needs to get beyond the short-term focus.” Instead, focus on how to make your workforce the strongest, most flexible and highly skilled workforce for long-term success.

Read the full study: “People and Profitability: A time for change.”

Check out Saving American Manufacturing: Growth Planning for Small and Midsize Manufacturers, now available in the MDM Store..