5 Industry Tips for Avoiding Labor Shortages

Manufacturing is booming. It’s never been more attractive than right now to invest in American manufacturing. Government policies, higher shipping costs, a tax overhaul, and a bullish economy are helping the surge. With all of that good news, business and plant managers (hiring) know a pending labor shortage of up to 2.4 million unfilled jobs by 2028. 

In order to combat the impending shortage, employers need to be proactive in attracting and retaining talent to their plants. Here are five tips to avoid a labor shortage.  

1. Hire Wisely 

Hiring the right person, the first time will ensure you have the employee that will stay on for a while. All this takes, is a little research.  

Looking into their work history, checking to see if they belong to any organizations, and even if they came from a work-study program during school, will help to determine if the person you’re looking to hire is a good fit for your company.   

2. Attracting an Incoming Work Force 

The future workforce and younger generations have different expectations than those of their parents and grandparents. Evolving with these expectations will attract younger talent to your business.  

Do you offer flexible schedules? A lot of people in the manufacturing industry believe flexible schedules can’t be achieved. As this is a primary concern with the younger generation, changing your manufacturing schedule into an expectation schedule instead of a 9-5 schedule may be more in tune with the upcoming workforce. Or even allowing start times between 6-8 has seen positive outcomes.  

3. Entice your workers to stay 

Losing employees makes keeping up with demand that much harder. Creating a welcoming environment doesn’t just help retention, but prospective employees will notice how much you care when they visit. One way to do this is to recognize and reward good employees. This acts as a “Thank you” acknowledgment that can go a step further and offer financial incentives and bonuses.   

Employees want to stay engaged. When they’re engaged, they’re more than likely to keep coming back. One of the best ways to keep them engaged is to offer continuing education opportunities. Not only does it help them and your company, but it also provides a change of pace. Having your employees off the floor and into a classroom gives them a break from the regular day-to-day routine.  

4. Changing the Stigma 

There’s a stigma that follows the industrial manufacturing world. People don’t believe manufacturing offers good–paying, respectable jobs. What they don’t know, is manufacturing jobs have morphed into high-skilled, well-paying jobs. It’s not so much muscle and grit that factories are using anymore, but problem-solving skills to work with highly advanced technology.  

One way to do this is to open the doors to the public and let them check out your highly advanced space. Spend some money on advertising, throw a barbecue, and show off your operation. In order to change the stigma, you must show people how manufacturing has changed.  

5. Partner with a staffing agency 

Staffing agencies that specialize in manufacturing know the industry inside and out. They’re stocked with professionals that have worked in the industry and know the type of worker you’re looking for in your specific role.  

Let us do the hard work for you. At Reliable Resources, we guarantee the worker we send out, will be the right fit for you. Contact us today.