Survey: Skilled Labor Shortage Threatens Manufacturing’s Recovery

IndustryWeek reports that a recent survey of more than 300 hiring decision-makers finds manufacturers nationwide are struggling with attendance issues, as well as recruiting.

Kylene Zenk, director of the Manufacturing Practice at UKG — which produced the study — says that between January and March 2021, 68% of manufacturers let employees go due to poor attendance. At the same time, 54% of manufacturers said negative industry perceptions are impacting their ability to recruit Millennial and Gen Z talent.

To fill the talent void, 62% of manufacturers have hired or considered hiring people with disabilities or special needs. Another 56% are targeting retirees, while 52% are considering previously incarcerated or “second-chance” workers as potential employees. 7/15/2021