The supply chain is evolving—fast. But is your workforce keeping up? In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson highlights the growing skills gap in supply chain roles and what organizations must do to prepare. This video is a must-watch for leaders looking to stay competitive and future-ready.

There is a significant need to address the widening skills gap in manufacturing and supply chain. Currently, there 7.6 million open jobs in the trades, and Deloitte estimated that there 2.1 million jobs will go unfilled by 2030.  In addition, the World Economic Forum reports that 40% of core skills will change over the next 3-5 years with changing business and technical requirements including AI. Companies can no longer manage the way they used to prior to the pandemic. Not only did baby boomers retire early and without long transition periods, but people changed jobs to more meaningful ones and the group following the baby boomers is getting burnt out. 

Thus, the proactive companies will have a leg up on the competition. What are they doing?

1. Investing in training & development: Coordinated efforts to ensure training and development is occurring at the best organizations. It isn’t an afterthought; instead, it is being considered a strategic priority. For example, an aerospace manufacturer partnered with the local community college and trade associations to roll out development programs for all new hires as well as current employees. It put them ahead of their competition by shoring up their employees’ skills and experiences.  Caterpillar provides another example of this priority by investing $100 million in upskilling their workers in the AI era.
2. Trade schools & apprenticeships: There is nothing better than hands-on experience with the technical skills and learning from someone who has “been there and done that”. Trade school enrollment has gone up by 16% in the last year, and so it is gaining momentum, and apprenticeships is a lost art. The successful employers will facilitate apprenticeship type relationships for their teams.
3. Consultants, trusted advisors & other resources: Supplementing your employees with consultants and these other types of resources will help you design and implement business process improvements, roll out education series, and upgrade your use of ERP and related technologies. They will also supplement your resources and provide support, ideas, and expertise as needed to accelerate the upskilling of teams. 
4. Creative groups of potential employees: Bring out of the idea box ideas to the table such as utilizing veterans and part-time retirees.
5. Mentoring: There is nothing better than observing, learning and following the best with the opportunity to try new ideas and strategies.

Gain additional insights in how companies are addressing the skills gap in our video and read about how Future Success Relies on Manufacturing & Supply Chain Talent.

If you are interested in reading more on this topic:
Top Talent: The Key to Manufacturing Success