Why are Hiring Manufacturing and Construction Companies Struggling to Find Qualified Workers in 2024?

The industrial heartland of America awakens to the sound of machines and tools. The manufacturing and construction sectors are thriving, thanks to a boost of federal funding. Yet, these industries encounter a major obstacle: a lack of skilled workers.

Why are Manufacturing and Construction Industries in a Job Crisis Despite Increased Funding?

The U.S. manufacturing and construction industries are growing. Federal funds are supporting these sectors, creating a plethora of job opportunities. However, finding workers to fill these positions is difficult. Many of these jobs demand specialized training, and with the Baby Boomer generation retiring at an increasing rate, there’s a growing gap that needs to be closed.

According to the Manufacturing Institute over 2 million jobs in the sector could remain empty within the next 6 years if workers continue on a trend of not choosing careers in manufacturing. This statistic highlights the urgency of the situation. But what causes this mismatch between the supply of jobs and the demand for workers?

The Generational Change

One of the main factors causing this labor shortage is likely the generational change in the workforce. As Baby Boomers retire, there’s a significant drop in the number of seasoned workers in these industries. Meanwhile, the generations that follow are facing a dilemma, with so many other new career paths.

A concrete example of this labor paradox can be observed in the Bay Area, at Ample’s manufacturing facilities, which produces part their state of the art EV battery technology.

As CNBC reported, Ample is one of many companies suffering from the skilled labor shortage. Despite the demand for their products and the availability of positions, they’re having trouble finding the qualified workers they need.

The manufacturing and construction sectors are vital for the U.S. economy and society. They provide essential goods and services, create jobs, and drive innovation. However, these sectors are facing a serious challenge: a shortage of skilled workers.

This challenge is likely partly due to the generational change in the workforce, as younger generations are less inclined to pursue careers in these fields.

To overcome this challenge, these sectors need to attract and retain more workers, especially from the younger generations. They can do this by offering competitive wages, benefits, and career paths, as well as by providing training and education opportunities.

By doing so, they can possibly ensure the future of these industries, but it’s going to be tough convincing people to go down that career path, when they can make more with a 1 minute TikTok video and a popular song.