Now more than ever, local manufacturers are struggling to find skilled workers. According to the Augusts 2021 Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, 69% of manufacturers are currently hiring workers, 74.3% of manufacturers reported a lack of available applicants or no applicants and 46.4% indicated no change in availability of applicants over the past month.
Many manufacturers across the United States have also reported an increase in last-minute call outs, which were also common before the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent report from Workforce Institute at UKG stated 1 in 10 manufacturers experienced call-outs daily, putting pressure on team members to maintain production schedules which negatively impacts company culture.
Manufacturers cannot just focus on recruiting talent but must continue to focus attentively on building an inclusive culture, fostering growth opportunities and pathways to careers, and living these values at every level of the organization to address persistent labor challenges.
To address these opportunities, SAMA recently hosted a membership luncheon with a panel of local manufacturers and industry leaders to discuss strategies and tactics to retain, recruit and motivate employees. The panelists include:
- Bill Cox, president and CEO, Cox Manufacturing
- Bianca Rhodes, CEO, Knight Aerospace
- Carole Wong, vice president human resources, FBD Partnership, LP
- Lisa Navarro-Gonzales, vice president, Forma Automotive, LLC
- Mark Milton, chief operating officer, Workforce Solutions Alamo
- Michael Johnson, vice president of organizational development & finance, Kiolbassa Provision Company
Click here to view the recording and hear first-hand stories of hiring challenges, strategies and tactics to address the labor market challenges.
