According to a recent American Manufacturing News article, by 2030 only 41 million new skilled workers will be available to fill the 79 million jobs left open by specialized manufacturing talent retiring from the workforce. A long-term shift toward the four-year college track and away from education in skilled manufacturing trades has created a serious deficit in human resources for a new generation of manufacturing companies that are trying to fill jobs, creating a significant skills gap.
A number of manufacturing industry leaders are recognizing this trend, and pulling together to form organizations such as the PMPA (Precision Machined Products Association) Foundation and SkillsUSA to promote interest in manufacturing among a new generation of potential talent. Helping an up-and-coming workforce prepare for filling a wide array of job opportunities, these organizations sponsor and promote education and awareness to a generation that would otherwise not be exposed to this interesting and rewarding career field. Manufacturing jobs of today mean blending traditional skilled craftsmanship with 21st century technology. Developing this new crop of talent means economic security, not only for them, but for the nation’s economy.
Preparing for the future as an industry is just part of the solution in navigating this skills gap. Individually, manufacturers need to consider the implications the skills gap will have, not only on their own businesses, but also on their supply chain.
Download our free Guide to Navigating the Skills Gap to learn more about the implications of the skills gap, how it will unfold, and what can be done to prepare, not only as an industry, but as an individual business.
