While employment in manufacturing and wholesale trade has been holding relatively steady, talent remains a key challenge for many distributors and manufacturers. The industry is on the precipice of fundamental change, driven by new technology and new customer demands, and that change requires a fundamental shift in the skills required to grow in the future.
As part of National Manufacturing Day 2016, the Manufacturing Institute and PwC hosted a Twitter chat to discuss the skilled labor shortage and how to address the skill set shift.
Technology won't be a job killer. A recent survey, conducted by PwC in conjunction with the Manufacturing Institute, revealed that 37.7 percent of respondents anticipate hiring additional people as advanced technology makes its way into manufacturing plants. Nearly half (45.1 percent) expect employment levels to stay the same.
"Factories are getting smarter and the reality is, the next gen of the manufacturing workforce needs to keep up," wrote Bob McCutcheon, U.S. industrial products leader, PwC.
"There will be a change in the type of jobs – high-tech, innovative and computerized," said Jennifer McNelly, executive director, Manufacturing Institute. And to prepare for the shift, the industry needs to help build "strong public-private partnership."
Take an active role in creating the workforce of the future, through investing in STEM programs at schools and colleges or through community programs.
"Having a strong relationship with educational institutions/universities to introduce the many facets of manufacturing will be key," McCutcheon said. The perception that manufacturing is still a "'hard-hats' job" still dominates many discussions. "But it's much more than that now."
It's finding a balance, because underneath it all, manufacturing is still about creating. Don't stop at investing in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math); bring in the arts, as well. "Creativity is also part of #nextMFG," McCutcheon said.
But if distributors and manufacturers don't take an active role in selling the value they bring as employers, they will continue to struggle to attract the top talent they need to stay at the top of the game.
Don't be afraid to step out of your "this is how we've always done it" mind set. Invest in the change that is coming, whether you like it or not.
