The manufacturing industry has a staffing problem. Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute project that 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled by 2030, leaving manufacturers looking for ways to mitigate this growing talent deficit while maintaining efficiency and profitability. 

A primary cause of the existing staffing shortage, and one that will continue to exacerbate the situation, is a lack of interest in manufacturing jobs from younger generations. Only 14% of Gen Z professionals would consider a career in manufacturing or other industrial roles, with 26% saying they would only consider it as a short-term career. Perception of the manufacturing industry is hindering the ability to recruit and retain talent; less than 50% of Americans believe manufacturing jobs are interesting, clean, safe and stable. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond generational challenges, there is a well-known labor shortage issue across the board, with the latest data showing there are 9.5 million job openings in the U.S., but only 6.5 million unemployed workers. As the workforce continues to age, and fewer people enter it, labor shortage challenges show no signs of going away anytime soon. 

In light of these challenges, manufacturers need a solution they can implement now to mitigate not only the current, but also future challenges associated with continued staffing shortages. 

A Staffing Solution: Manufacturing Execution Systems 

There are a number of new technologies designed to future-proof businesses despite the diminishing workforce. These technologies can immediately alleviate the current generational workforce challenges and provide a permanent, long-term solution to the problem. A manufacturing execution system (MES), for example, is known for its ability to provide solutions to challenges brought on by staffing shortages, such as streamlining processes and improving visibility of manufacturing operations. 

Automate Routine Tasks 

Business leaders must consider the direct impact staffing shortages have on their current employees. Almost half of all employees in the U.S. are experiencing burnout. Of those individuals, heavy workloads and staffing shortages are the leading causes, with 51% pointing to workload, and 45% pointing to staffing shortages as the biggest drivers. 

A comprehensive MES has the ability to automate routine, time-consuming tasks that contribute to workload burdens, like scheduling, data collection, process map creation, quality control and production tracking. 

Considering production scheduling, specifically, an MES can analyze available labor, equipment, and material resources in order to generate ideal scheduling, timing, and sequencing, based on capacity. With already tight staffing, inefficient processes are even more costly. An MES not only enables manufacturers to optimize their production processes, but also eliminates bottlenecks and other challenges associated with heavy workloads and human error.  

By automating certain tasks, an MES can lighten the load of a business’s existing workforce by freeing up time to focus on tasks that require a higher level of knowledge and insight, such as strategic decision-making, innovative process optimization and problem-solving. This also reduces the need to hire additional employees to complete these routine tasks. Ultimately, the automation capabilities of an MES not only alleviate immediate staffing challenges, but also prepare businesses for future staffing and other workforce challenges, while optimizing overall product quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.  

Allowing for Real-Time Data Visibility & Flexible Workforce Management 

In manufacturing and supply chain management, access to real-time data is crucial to optimizing performance and making informed decisions. Another benefit of an MES is that it provides real-time insights into production processes, including machine performance, production rates, inventory levels and supply chain status. This enables managers to identify inefficiencies, forecast demand more accurately and optimize resource allocation. Additionally, better visibility into inventory levels and supply chain status allows manufacturers to easily mitigate supply chain disruptions or changes in demand — using their limited staffing resources where they are needed most. 

A significant staffing benefit of implementing an MES is flexible workforce management. Enhanced data visibility has the potential to streamline workforce utilization by providing insights into production performance and available resources. This allows managers to allocate more workloads more efficiently, and optimize shift schedules according to employee skills and availability. A flexible system can automatically reallocate tasks in response to employee absences or skill gaps, ensuring that production schedules are maintained, and deadlines are met. 

A well-rounded MES generally includes predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms that allow businesses to forecast future staffing requirements and proactively address shortages and other challenges. These systems also help identify the training and development needs of the existing workforce, opening the door for more opportunities to develop a versatile workforce and promote a resilient culture. By developing a diverse pool of talent, manufacturers can access specialized skills and expertise without the need to hire new or additional employees. 

In today’s business environment, adaptability and versatility are of the utmost importance. By implementing advanced technologies such as an MES, businesses are not only able to alleviate the immediate challenges associated with staffing shortages, but also lay the groundwork for long-term workforce resilience. 

Juhi John is Product Manager at Advantive.