The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. One of the most affected industries has been the manufacturing industry. Many companies are struggling, and it may get worse before it gets better.
So what can you do to attract more people to manufacturing industry jobs? This article tells you everything you need to know.
A Shift to Local Production?
Pre-pandemic, it seemed like nothing could stop the reliance on global supply chains. Now the disruption caused by COVID-19 has many questioning our reliance on global trade.
Many companies have had to slow down or even shut down production thanks to international supply chains breaking down. The corona crisis meant that many factories in China simply couldn’t keep up with demand.
This had a knock-on effect that resulted in delays around the world. Many companies are now looking for local options that are less susceptible to disruption.
A Widening Skills Gap
Changes in technology mean that there’s a growing skills gap in the manufacturing industry. While it’s unlikely that automation will replace all of your workers any time soon, it does mean that workers need a different skill set.
For example, workers of the future will need to have technology skills to properly manage the automated systems. At the moment, it seems that technology is advancing too fast for the labor market to keep up. This will result in a skilled worker shortage.
Expect to see a widening skills gap in the future. Due to the limited supply of workers with the right skills, companies who are proactive will come out on top. You should try to anticipate the skills you’ll need in the future and hire accordingly.
Focus on Safety
The pandemic has resulted in a bigger focus on safety. Workers are now more prepared to walk away from jobs that don’t take safety seriously. In a badly managed manufacturing facility, it’s likely that workers will catch the coronavirus.
This means that workers may walk away from a job if they feel their health is at risk. Companies will need to focus heavily on safety culture if they want to attract the best talent in the business.
A Changing Job Market
In the last year, the labor market has changed dramatically. This means that for many workers, manufacturing jobs simply aren’t as desirable. Jobs in other sectors can now offer workers the opportunity to work from home. This results in a better work-life balance and better mental health.
Manufacturing jobs may need to take measures to attract people in light of these changes. For example, they might need to offer higher pay.
Manufacturing Industry Jobs Are Changing – Adapt to Survive
As you can see, manufacturing industry jobs are going through some changes. In a free-market system, you need to adapt to survive. You’ll need to have a strategy to deal with the widening skills gap, and you’ll need to offer incentives to get workers interested.
If you want to learn about some other business-related topics, read some of our other blog posts.