Manufacturing Skill Gap Still Exists Emerging from Pandemic

08/10/20

Is your company still struggling to look for skilled workers as we emerge from the pandemic?

APICS Greater Detroit serves local supply chain professionals by providing knowledge and education needed to compete in today’s world.

Per the National Association Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey 2nd Quarter 2020, 50.5% of manufacturing leaders still anticipate that difficulties in attracting and retaining employees will continue to be a challenge over the next 12 to 18 months once the COVID-19 crisis abates.

APICS Greater Detroit can help you close your skill gaps with globally recognized supply chain certification training staring this September! Read more below.

Manufacturers are still anticipating a shortage of workers. Per the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, “The COVID-19 outbreak forced companies to evaluate and transform their traditional ways of doing business nearly overnight. Leaders and team members were required to quickly adapt to this new normal to make safety the top priority.

As companies worked to acclimate to this new environment, many came to realize their abilities to reskill or upskill workers were not sufficient to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape. This was felt across nearly all industries, while millions were laid off and essential sectors struggled to find enough skilled workers to keep up with soaring levels of demand.

Currently, more than 7.2 million jobs remain unfilled in the United States due to a lack of skilled workers available, with 87% of executives experiencing gaps in their workforce.

This talent shortage is especially prevalent in the manufacturing sector, with a growing skills gap made larger by the struggle to find young workers to replace a retiring generation. Combined with the changes brought on by the pandemic, manufacturers need flexible, wide-ranging talent now more than ever.”

Finder younger workers with the right skills needed in this moment in time will be very important. Per McKinsey & Company, “To emerge stronger from the COVID-19 crisis, companies should start reskilling their workforces now.” They outline the three skills below that are likely to speed up after the crisis ends.

New skills for the ‘distance economy’: The crisis has accelerated the levels of digitization to help reduce avoidable physical interactions. This has meant finding ways to reinvent work and, in some cases, a partial disruption of jobs and changes in the way workers perform them.
Imbalances in talent supply and demand: COVID-19 has changed not only how people work but also how they shop and eat, as well as basic patterns of movement and travel. In this way, the pandemic is setting up what could be lasting employment-landscape shifts that could require the large-scale reskilling of new workers. For example, the pandemic has accelerated the trend toward e-commerce rather than brick-and-mortar sales.
Changes to supply chains: With sourcing and production moving closer to end users, the crisis could trigger a restructuring of supply chains. As companies localize or regionalize them, that will shift which skills are needed and where. Global companies may move production closer to the point of sale.

What can your company do to help address the skill gaps in manufacturing impacting supply change management such as the ones mentioned above?

APICS Greater Detroit is here to help by offering globally recognized supply chain certification classes beginning in just a few weeks! Starting in September we are offering the following courses to help supply chain professionals meet today’s top challenges and help you and your company ensure your teams have the skills needed.

Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) provides you with the ability to understand and evaluate production and inventory activities within a company’s global operations.
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) program is the first and only supply chain certification encompassing the end-to-end global supply chain. APICS CSCP designees gain the skills to effectively manage global supply chain activities that involve suppliers, plants, distributors, and customers located around the world.
Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD) program will expand your logistics, transportation, and distribution knowledge and prepare you for the APICS CLTD certification exam.

Not sure which program is right for you and your company? Read our article on how to pick the right one! Or send us an email at classes@apicsdet.org. We are here to help!

Looking for more information on ways to remain competitive as we continue to emerge from the pandemic? APICS Greater Detroit has expert instructor-led classes beginning in just a few weeks! Starting in September we are offering the following courses to help supply chain professionals meet today’s top challenges and help you and your company ensure your teams have the skills needed.

Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) provides you with the ability to understand and evaluate production and inventory activities within a company’s global operations.
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) program is the first and only supply chain certification encompassing the end-to-end global supply chain. APICS CSCP designees gain the skills to effectively manage global supply chain activities that involve suppliers, plants, distributors, and customers located around the world.
Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD) program will expand your logistics, transportation, and distribution knowledge and prepare you for the APICS CLTD certification exam.