Working for a living
The combination of an ageing workforce, declining birth rates, unfavourable perceptions about manufacturing work and competition from other industries will make finding and retaining a skilled workforce a persistent challenge for the industrials sector. However, as manufacturers of some of the most complex products on earth, this industry is no stranger to global challenges and innovative approaches to overcome them.
Dirty jobs: Manufacturing suffers from an image problem among many workers who still perceive it as too dirty, dangerous and physically demanding even as automation is making it safer than ever before. The problem is particularly acute with women. Although they make up 47% of the non-farm workforce, they are only 30% of the manufacturing workforce today.1
Gray to green: In the aerospace and defense industry alone, one-third of the workforce is over 55 and expected to retire in the coming years. As they retire the need to train a younger and "greener" workforce will grow.2
The struggle is real: Despite slowing economic growth, a large majority of industrial employers (75% globally and 81% in the UK) say they are still struggling to find the skilled talent they need.3
1. Deloitte 2. McKinsey 3. ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, Q2 2024
Employers in this sector must develop more uniquely differentiated employer value propositions and recruitment marketing to dispel misconceptions and outcompete other industries
Building a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) should remain a top priority to close the significant gender gap and grow the pipeline of new talent to replace older workers
A focus on retaining more senior workers to train and mentor the younger workforce will play a key role in the success of upskilling efforts.
77% OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYERS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND THE SKILLED TALENT THEY NEED
