Where will U.S. manufacturers find the skilled workers they need?

Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Editor -- Packaging Digest, 10/3/2012 12:17:38 PM

On Friday, manufacturers across the country are opening their doors to focus on the vital role that manufacturing plays in our economy, as well as the bright prospects of a manufacturing career. This activity will be part of Manufacturing Day.

In support of this, ThomasNet.com has research to share on the growth of U.S. manufacturing and how companies are investing in their production and marketing muscle, while stepping up exports.

But the elephant in the room is the skilled labor shortage; 48 percent of companies will hire this year, but jobs are going begging.

ThomasNet.com can be a resource on this topic by putting you in touch with businesses that are re-shoring their manufacturing, winning against China and developing innovative ways to address the skilled labor shortage.

The infographic below shows 75 percent of the respondents to ThomasNet.com's fifth Industry Market Barometer survey see growth for the balance of 2012, but nearly face the prospect of a skilled labor shortage.

Source: ThomasNet.com

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We can't expect industry to turn on the light switch and qualified applicants just show up at the door! Start with high school career day, create apprentorship programs, retrain veterans and early retirees, reach out to the community. Americans are waiting for opportunities to get back to work, but it requires rebuilding trust and awareness of career possibilities. We also need to reconstruct our education system to bring back funding for shop and other vocational training, but industry can start with our schools NOW.

Xavier Malta - 2012-3-10 16:20:29 EDT

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