How Helander Metal Spinning Company Is Helping Narrow the Manufacturing Skills Gap with 3D Tech
August 9, 2024
A recent study estimated that around 2.1 million US manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030, costing an estimated $1 trillion. The main reasons behind this skills gap are varied.
The manufacturing industry has a significant labor shortage. We need to attract new talent and upskill our existing workforce, especially by embracing candidates without degrees and leveraging technology for training at scale.
There's increasing doubt about the necessity of a four-year degree due to rising college costs, creating more opportunities for trade professionals with advancing technology and higher pay.
Michelle Bangert interviewed Claire Hopkins, a document control specialist and author of a recent "Speaking of Quality" column for Quality magazine. Claire chairs the American Society for Quality's Next Gen Global Committee, comprising individuals under 40 or new to the quality industry.
Our workforce is undergoing major changes, especially in talent management and retention. Understanding and addressing these shifts will be our next mission.
Quality is present in all sorts of industries, which makes it a vibrant and
interesting field, but also presents a challenge when looking to find new
professionals to bring into the community.
I often ask quality professionals about their career paths. While I started in natural history collections, I now work in document control in the life sciences industry. Recruitment in the quality industry is challenging due to its presence in various fields, but supporting and engaging young professionals is crucial for the community's future.