Manufacturing skills gap could leave 2.1 million jobs unfilled by 2030

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The US manufacturing skills gap could leave 2.1 million jobs unfilled by 2030 and cost the US economy as much as $1 trillion, according to a report by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute.

The study is based on two online surveys with participation from more than 800 US-based manufacturing leaders, interviews with manufacturing executives, analysis of data from secondary sources and projections by Deloitte.

Other findings include:

  • 36% of US manufacturers believe finding the right talent now is 36% harder than it was in 2018 despite a much-higher unemployment rate.
  • 71% of US manufacturers say they will have ongoing difficulties in attracting and retaining workers in 2021 and beyond.
  • Only 30% of manufacturing professionals are women. In addition, women surveyed were 1.8 times more likely than men to contemplate leaving the industry, citing lack of work-life balance and the need for flexible schedules.

“Given the foundational role the manufacturing sector plays in our nation’s economy, it is deeply concerning that at a time when jobs are in such high demand nationwide, the number of vacant entry-level manufacturing positions continues to grow,” said Paul Wellener, vice chairman and US industrial products and construction leader, Deloitte LLP.

“Attracting and retaining diverse talent presents both a challenge and solution to bridging the talent gap,” Wellener continued. “To attract a new generation of workers, the industry should work together to change the perception of work in manufacturing and expand and diversify its talent pipeline.”