Having Trouble Hiring?
According to a joint study from the National Association of Manufacturers and the consultancy firm Deloitte, around 2.4 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled between now and 2028. That’s a daunting statistic, and one that warrants a deeper dive into the long-term economic ramifications. At ROI, we want to provide some insight into exactly what that number means, and how the unskilled labor shortage might end up being resolved with cutting-edge workplace automation solutions.
Why Is It So Hard to Find Skilled Workers?
While it’s tempting to rely on anecdotal evidence for this pervasive issue, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Some economists are in disagreement about what the actual problem is, and whether or not the labor shortage is an issue to begin with—they’re quick to disagree with some CEOs that have lamented how difficult it’s been for them to find workers relevant for the jobs they need to be filled.
There’s an argument raging on about whether or not a “skills gap” is to blame for the shortage. Those that argue it exists maintain that more jobs require college degrees than ever before, and that there are more openings than people unemployed. Others argue that when unemployment is low, employers should raise wages to attract more skilled workers (which doesn’t happen as much as you’d think). The latter camp also argues that some of the factors that lead employers to struggle are due to specific factors that are unique to that company’s situation or local economy.
The Elephant in the Room
The shortage of skilled labor workers may also be due in large part to the rising demand for automated technology. A lot of those same workers that otherwise might have been thriving in a role that seemed like a perfect fit in years gone by may be deemed surplus to requirements as the benefits of automation become more and more clear. While some argue that higher levels of automation correlate directly with less-prominent hiring problems, there’s no denying that robotic automation will only continue to grow its presence in years to come. So—how can you remain ahead of the curve? Finding qualified workers might be getting more difficult, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your business processes are going to suffer (that is, if you’re prepared for the future). That’s where ROI comes in.
Prepare For the Future of Work
The key to maintaining pace in the rapidly-developing world of technology is working with a provider that understands the challenges you face and the solutions you need to install sooner rather than later. While the skilled labor shortage is definitely an obstacle that needs to be overcome, ROI has the automated technology available to help you optimize your facility for maximum productivity. With a diverse range of solutions including the industry-leading PalletPOD product line, we have solutions designed to help you combat the rising costs of human workers.