Many businesses are struggling to attract and retain skilled workers, with record numbers resigning or retiring. This is particularly true in the manufacturing sector.

The Buzz 1: A Manufacturing Institute [MI] survey found that “The Great Resignation” is really more of a “Great Retirement.” 808,000 manufacturing job openings in February 2022 were down from January’s 859,000 [U.S. Census Bureau]…Manufacturing quits rose from 315,000 in January to 337,000 in February, a new record. [rimanufacturers.com/the-great-resignation-or-great-retirement]

The Buzz 2: MI’s February survey of 3,000 Americans: 82% of respondents who left a manufacturing job in the past six months retired due to age or health-related reasons. The remaining 18% resigned or were laid off, but 73% of those are back to work in a different manufacturing job, 7% in a different industry and 20% are still looking.

The Buzz 3: The manufacturing sector is increasingly viewed as crucial to economic and pandemic recovery, yet outdated public perceptions could be impacting recruitment of vital new workers [Deloitte–MI news release]. 83% of manufacturers surveyed cited attraction and retention of a quality workforce as top concerns. But most workers prefer retail and services over manufacturing jobs.

As manufacturers look to automate their operations, are workers in the field and on the shop floor being left behind? Will digital technologies that inform and engage workers – digital signage, AR, VR – help companies access a wider labor pool and attract new workers?

We’ll ask Christophe Justeau, Andy Hancock and Johannes Papst for their take on Does A Digital Factory Attract New Workers?