Skilled Worker Shortage Plagues Manufacturing Industry

April 5, 2016
Analysis from CliftonLarsonAllen finds that the primary factor driving capacity constraints is a shortage of skilled workers.

A growing number of U.S. manufacturers are reaching the outer limits of their capacity constraints, and the primary factor driving capacity limits is a shortage of skilled workers, according to CliftonLarsonAllen’s fifth annual Manufacturing and Distribution Outlook. The report is the summary and analysis of an industry survey.

The manufacturing and distribution companies who participated in the survey say they are adjusting to this “new normal” by changing their recruiting and hiring practices. They are focused instead on finding trainable workers rather than those who are already skilled and then providing the necessary on-the-job training, according to the report.

The latest report reviews responses from nearly 600 CliftonLarsonAllen clients and non-clients on a wide range of topics including:

  • Revenue expectations and profitability
  • Growth opportunities and strategies
  • Challenges facing the industry
  • Ownership/leadership transition planning
  • Customer diversification
  • Continuous improvement initiatives
  • Global trade opportunities

For more information, download a copy of the report here.

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