Since the onset of the pandemic, the unemployment rate for those in the manufacturing industry continues to drop. It now sits at 3.2% in the month of April 2022. The U.S. job growth within manufacturing also grew more than expected in April with many companies boosting hiring. 

A large part of this is attributed to stronger household incomes, demand pushing forward, and more opportunities for American exporters being provided. Manufacturing also saw payrolls increase by 55,000 jobs, indicating a continued strong demand for goods. 

The facts above show that the industry as a whole is doing well financially, and more people are moving to a manufacturing position as a means of work. However, hiring experienced and hard-working employees is becoming more difficult for companies. Prior to the pandemic, only 38% of manufacturers struggled to find strong candidates. That percentage has now grown to above 50%. 

This can be attributed to the following reasons:

• Unreliable employees who skip shifts with zero notice
• In 2021, more than two-thirds of manufacturers let employees go due to poor performance. 
• An increase in turnover from the following year.

Recruiting for manufacturing jobs is more important now than ever

The industry as a whole hasn’t reduced to panic yet, it has little reason to. However the recent trends all point towards experienced workers being harder to come by as time goes on. It’s within your businesses’ best interest to always be on the lookout for talented prospects and have a reliable onboarding system to get new employees into the field as soon as possible.  

A good Applicant Tracking and Onboarding system can help you seek out exactly the kind of employees, with exactly the kinds of skills your business needs, without having to actively look for them.

A customizable application form allows businesses to ask specific questions, and require certain levels of skill/experience, when posting to job boards. A smooth onboarding process can start even before a new employee’s first day: allow a new employee to access new-hire paperwork and forms at home so they can begin their training as early as the first day.

Talented prospects aren’t impossible to find, but it is getting more difficult. Take the steps to invest in a good hiring process before these prospects seek out businesses that already do.