How APICS Helps Close the Skill Gap

07/09/19

Are you struggling to find skilled workers? Per the National Association for Manufacturers (NAM) Manufacturers 2nd Quarter Outlook Survey, 68.8% of respondents cited the inability to find skilled workers as top challenge.

Per the NAM Q2 Outlook Survey, “Given past survey results, it is to be expected that the top hindrance facing manufacturers continues to be the challenges of finding a qualified workforce. In fact, the inability to attract and retain workers remained respondents’ top concern for the seventh consecutive survey, noted as the top concern by 68.8 percent of respondents. The manufacturing industry’s skills gap challenge is a longstanding problem, but one that has been exacerbated by recent economic successes, including an unemployment rate near 50-year lows and a labor market with more job openings than people looking for work. In the December 2018 iteration of this survey, nearly 30 percent of manufacturers were forced to turn down business opportunities due to their inability to find sufficient talent—a challenge heightened by the tight labor market and baby boomer retirements.”

NAM suggests in their whitepaper titled, “Competing to Win, Workforce in Focus,” manufacturers must build a system that delivers a sustainable and long-term pipeline of strong, mid-skilled manufacturing talent subsequent to hiring. They discuss how career and employee development is just as important as attracting new talent to the manufacturing sector. NAM goes on to share that a potential solution to developing strong manufacturing talent including is to provide incentives for employees to undertake education and training programs of their own volition, often requiring their own time and resources to improve skills.

At APICS Greater Detroit our mission is to inspire and grow supply chain professionals. As the leader in supply chain certification programs, we can help provide training for your team proven to reduce costs, increase ROI and deliver a sustainable and long-term pipeline of strong supply chain talent.

This fall we are offering globally recognized certifications this fall with new virtual options and savings of 20% off historical prices!

CPIM I (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) – The perfect introductory course for production and inventory management personnel and CPIM candidates. This is the recommended first course in the APICS CPIM program.
CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) – The CSCP designation is the most sought-after certification by supply chain professionals around the globe seeking to achieve mastery and recognition in their field.
CLTD (Certified Logistics, Transportation and Distribution) – The CLTD program helps you demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a broad range of supply chain logistics topics to set you apart from your peers. Elevate awareness, professionalism, and knowledge/skills of Logistics, Transportation & Distribution practitioners.

Learn more about the work we do for the Greater Detroit supply chain community, helping over 150 Detroit area companies represented by our members.

APICS Greater Detroit chapter members receive discounts on all certification classes – click here to join today. We look forward to helping you find and develop skilled workers in 2019!