Manufacturers: Not enough skilled workers

(Oct. 16, 2007) A shortage of skilled workers and worries over the impending retirements of baby boomers are causing Connecticut’s manufacturing industry great concern.

Those are some of the key findings of the 2007 Survey of Current and Future Manufacturing Jobs in Connecticut, conducted by the CBIA Education Foundation, in partnership with the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing and RSM McGladrey Inc.

These challenges, combined with difficulties filling specific jobs and the lack of basic workplace skills have led manufacturers to call for more training and educational opportunities. Many of those surveyed are providing in-house employee training and fostering relationships with colleges and technical high schools to better educate their workers.

The average age of manufacturing workers is between 40 and 59, and the majority (92%) of respondents said they will need to replace retiring workers to keep up with increased business over the next five years. Eighty-six percent of respondents said they will need to increase their workforce over the next five years because of new products, sales or expansion. That’s up from 79% in 2005.

The majority (70%) of respondents said the main reason for their hiring difficulties is that applicants don’t have the necessary skills needed to fill open positions. That’s also up, from 49% in 2005. Other factors cited include a lack of interest in manufacturing (50%), lack of job readiness or overall employability (44%), and not getting job applicants (29%).

Manufacturers are taking steps to address these issues through training programs for current employees, but they are clearly interested in widening their talent pool by working directly with the state’s educational institutions.

Manufacturers expressed satisfaction with the quality of job candidates graduating from private four-year colleges and universities (83%), UConn (74%), the Connecticut State University System (74%) and community colleges (67%). But they were less satisfied with graduates of technical high schools (55%) or comprehensive high schools (36%).