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Skills multiple roles can help increase flexibility during peak periods, when certain positions may be in higher demand. These strategies not only fill immediate skill gaps but also build a more adaptable workforce capable of meeting future challenges.
Perhaps more important than the reskilling and upskilling of the existing workforce is rebranding to attract new talent. Baby Boomers aging out of the workforce already means there will be a shortage baked into the demographic shift, with not enough younger workers to replace them. This is amplified by outdated perceptions of manufacturing careers. By focusing on apprenticeships and training programs that give workers the necessary skills to operate the advanced AI and automated technologies that are increasingly part of the manufacturing process, leaders can begin shifting that perception while attracting and training new talent.
Attracting new workers while retaining existing ones
Furthermore, the outreach must meet younger workers where they are. First and foremost, this means working to change the perception of manufacturing and doing so by attracting talent through the social media and job-seeking platforms used by Gen Z and millennials. Additionally, especially on social media, this outreach must be coupled with emphasizing career growth opportunities in the manufacturing industry. This can be done by highlighting industry success stories of individuals who worked their way up the ladder, and through emphasizing the growing role of new technologies in modernizing manufacturing facilities. By reshaping the narrative around manufacturing careers, companies can appeal to a broader pool of candidates who may not have previously considered the industry.
Attracting new and upskilling existing talent will only work if leaders also focus on talent retention. A tight labor market, not only in manufacturing but in many industries, means competitive wages and benefits must be offered to keep workers from going elsewhere. Here, again, the same apprenticeship and cross-training programs can be tailored to help. Mentorship programs and leadership training can connect apprentices and new employees with more experienced workers. Through this business leaders can institute a model which puts in place clear pathways to advancement. While workers are learning new and improving old skills, well-made programs can help them see how the gained skills and experience can lead to career advancement within the industry.
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