Getting to grips with the skills shortage

Traditional job roles are evolving and strategic roles, in fields such as R&D, are more important than ever to drive innovation and business growth. At the same time, these changes are exposing significant skills gaps. The only way that organisations can meet this shortfall is through a blend of up-skilling the existing workforce and taking on new staff with modern skills. This is easier said than done. The UK manufacturing industry is suffering from a major identity crisis. In fact, 77% of UK manufacturers surveyed by SAP earlier this year said they felt the industry has to improve its image to attract younger recruits. To do this, we must banish outdated views of crumbling facilities and replace these with the reality of cutting edge R&D opps that modern manufacturing offers. Creating and demonstrating a clear career path will also be key to tempting young people into the industry. In the short-term though, we have to start looking for diverse talent that can immediately fill available roles. Individuals from overseas, different disciplines within manufacturing, different product lines and even different parts of the supply chain, can help build a strong pool of talent and industry expertise. Up-skilling is also important. Many manufacturers are diversifying their product line to meet market demands. This creates an opportunity for the workforce to up-skill and mimic, adapt and perhaps improve upon best practice from other areas of manufacturing. For example, burgeoning sectors such as clean tech can draw on experience in established industries like automotive. Even lean manufacturing experience in food can help drive efficiencies in the NHS; all options should be explored. As the economy picks up, it's essential that organisations look at innovative ways to build their workforce. However, if this is to be sustained, the sector as a whole needs to come together and not only improve the 'image' of manufacturing but ensure that transferable skills are maximised across the industry.