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How to Attract and Retain a Quality Workforce MELISSA GRIFFEN | CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
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t the 2021 Executive Leadership Conference (ELC) produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, Gardner Carrick, vice president of strategic initiatives at The Manufacturing Institute (MI) and National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), presented technical workforce development trends, both in connection to and beyond COVID-19. Results show that since 2010 there has been an increase of nearly a million-and-a-half jobs in manufacturing. Those numbers decreased when the pandemic hit, but recent studies suggest they have rebounded and are returning to previous levels. Beyond COVID-19, the second 2021 key business challenge is the continuing struggle of attracting and retaining a quality workforce. There’s not a “strong enough pipeline of individuals desiring to go into a career in manufacturing and not enough breadth of training programs to prepare them with skills to be successful in those careers,” said Carrick.
MI and NAM prioritize the success of manufacturers and their workforces—whether it be through fighting for manufacturer rights, providing news and intelligence about the industry, or through initiatives to support a diverse American workforce by providing skilled training programs. The MI and NAM efforts, presented at ELC, are: • Creators Wanted, which exhibits in towns to invite high school students to enter the manufacturing field post-graduation. MFG Day— when facilities open their doors on the first Friday in October—has been combined with Creators Wanted. It includes virtual tours and 3D maps, as well as an MFG Day webinar series. • Military and veteran recruitment starts these brave men and women on their next career. Individuals in their last six months of service can start training in the MI programs, which have recently been modified to include networking days with manufacturers. Both noncommissioned and commissioned officers have shown increased interest in leadership roles in manufacturing. These programs are available at five U.S. military bases. • The STEP Women’s Initiative, which includes training women to be role models in their communities. More than 800 women have been recognized so far.
Attracting and retaining a quality workforce in manufacturing is a systemic key business challenge.
NEWS Sabra Names New President and CEO Joey Bergstein became Sabra’s (a Strauss Group brand) new president and chief executive officer on July 8. Bergstein most recently served as CEO of Seventh Generation.
Digital Feature Debuts at PACK EXPO Las Vegas For the first time in its history, show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is offering a virtual component to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO (Sept. 27-29, Las Vegas Convention Center). PACK EXPO Xpress will allow those unable to travel to access products and innovations in digital showrooms and connect with solutions suppliers during the event, while also serving as a supplement to the on-site experience for those in attendance or their coworkers back at the office. Registration provides access to a My Show Planner account, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO’s personalized resource planning tool and directory. “The goal of PACK EXPO Xpress is twofold, offering access to the show experience to larger portions of the packaging and processing community, some of whom can better serve their customers remaining back on the plant floor,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “At the same time, it allows in-person attendees not to have to choose, for example, one education session over another.” The registration fee for PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO is $30 through Sept. 3, after which it increases by $100. The registration fee for PACK EXPO Xpress remains $30. Visit packexpolasvegas.com to register for the in-person or virtual event.
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| August 2021 | PROFOOD WORLD
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