If your staffing agency manages recruitment for skilled jobs, it’s critical to understand trends in the manufacturing sector. In response to the impacts of the pandemic, new technologies, and ongoing supply chain disruptions, the industry is continuing to evolve—and manufacturing jobs are evolving with it.
Recruitment teams that staff manufacturing jobs can get an edge by keeping an eye on these trends and anticipating how they will affect hiring in the future.
What should staffing agencies and HR teams know about the manufacturing industry right now?
The manufacturing sector is rapidly changing, and transformations are likely to continue through 2023 and beyond. Understanding timely issues and how they relate to workers will help you address the needs of your clients or hiring managers and fill jobs quicker.
To help you stay up to date, we’ve put together a list of some of the top issues in the manufacturing industry right now. Here are the trends that recruiters should be considering as they staff skilled jobs in the sector.
Additive manufacturing (3D printing)
Additive manufacturing technology—better known as 3D printing—has been around for years now, but as it becomes cheaper and more scalable, new possibilities for the future of mass production are emerging. Using computer-aided design (CAD), additive manufacturing has broken down manufacturing barriers and unlocked a world of new products and designs.
It’s now possible to build almost anything from nearly any material. Additive manufacturing has forced engineers and designers to rethink how they build products, and we can expect it to impact manufacturing workers in a range of ways.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is another key technology transforming the future of manufacturing. Using smart sensors and the power of the cloud, IoT allows devices to communicate with each other, report data, and send notifications via the internet—all without human intervention. Manufacturers are now using IoT to connect to and track the performance of nearly every component of production, providing unprecedented volumes of data.
The potential uses of this data are endless. Manufacturers can use it to optimize and streamline every phase of production, allowing them to make dramatic leaps forward in efficiency and productivity.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning
AI and machine learning are changing the face of many industries right now, and manufacturing is no exception. Expect to see these twin technologies implemented in an array of functions, including monitoring, servicing, inventory management, quality assurance, and supply-chain visibility.
Although AI has the potential to replace jobs, analysts say it will also improve productivity, decrease costs, and improve the quality and quantity of products available, all of which will boost economic growth and—potentially—create more jobs. It’s an evolving issue that recruiters should keep a close eye on as it develops.
Competing for talent
Even with automation and new technologies, the manufacturing sector is currently embroiled in a battle for talent with other industries. Because of recent demographic changes, workers are in high demand, making the work of staffing agencies and HR departments more valuable than ever. Companies are looking to recruit skilled workers who understand how to adapt to change and leverage new technologies effectively.
Supply chain reassessment
Recent global supply chain issues, as well as pressure from stakeholders for greater transparency, have caused many companies have begun to more closely monitor where their goods come from, and how.
Sensors and barcodes will play a vital role in this transformation, as will AI and machine learning. These new practices are intended not only to increase transparency and accountability, but also to help companies respond more effectively to future supply disruptions.
Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance technology leverages the power of AI to predict defects and issues before they happen. Thanks to the IoT, manufacturers now have access to real-time data on every piece of equipment they have, enabling computers to automatically track any changes and recommend maintenance before a part breaks.
The advantage? Predictive maintenance boosts productivity by avoiding costly breakdowns. Manufacturers that have been quick to adopt predictive maintenance technologies will have a leg up on the competition over the next few years.
Robotics
Experts anticipate that robots will be key to improving productivity in manufacturing, working in tandem with other emerging technologies. However, workers shouldn’t be too worried about the rise of automation.
Rather than replace workers, companies such as GE predict that robots will operate alongside workers as a complement to skilled labour. These technologies have been termed “collaborative robots” or “cobots.” Not only will cobots improve production, but they can also help workers by taking over the most dangerous, strenuous, and repetitive jobs, freeing up people to focus on tasks that require more critical thinking.
On the staffing side, these changes will likely result in new and varying positions to fill, as well as different qualifications and certifications for workers. Recruiters should keep an out for how the rise of robotics alters manufacturing roles.
The bottom line
This is a time dramatic change in the manufacturing industry. Although new technologies can cause uncertainty, recent innovations are also generating new opportunities for companies and workers.
Recruiters, staffing agencies, and HR departments will play a key role in setting up companies to succeed in the future by staffing the right workers in skilled jobs and understanding how to fill new roles as they emerge.
Is your HR department or staffing agency looking for a software solution to streamline operations and save time? Built for teams that manage skilled labour, Labourly™ is a simple, intuitive solution for managing your workforce. Book a demo call with our team today to see what Labourly™ can do for your company.
