• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home Business & Finance Business

‘Robots not taking over’ American factories desperate for workers, report says

Freelanews by Freelanews
May 9, 2021
in Business
0
im 132223
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

Demand for goods is skyrocketing as the US economy reopens from the pandemic. But there’s a big problem: American factories can’t find enough people to do the work.

Even though US manufacturing activity surged to a 37-year high in March, the industry has more than half a million job openings. Factories are struggling to find skilled workers for specialized roles such as welders and machinists. Manufacturers are even having trouble hiring entry-level positions that do not require expertise.

The talent shortage is not new — but it’s getting worse and could have far-reaching consequences beyond the manufacturing industry itself.

As many as 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030, according to a study published Tuesday by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. The report warns the worker shortage will hurt revenue, production and could ultimately cost the US economy up to $1 trillion by 2030.

“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,” Paul Wellener, vice chairman and US industrial products and constructions leader at Deloitte, said in a statement.

Manufacturers say it is 36% harder to find talent today than in 2018 — even though the unemployment rate is much higher today, according to the report. More than three-quarters of manufacturing executives (77%) surveyed said they expect to have trouble attracting and retaining workers this year and beyond.

“Throughout the executive interviews conducted during this year’s study, a resounding distress signal kept repeating itself: ‘We can’t find the people to do the work,'” the report said.

For example, demand for HVAC systems is very strong in North America as businesses reopen and people upgrade their homes. Yet air conditioning maker Carrier is struggling to find workers to help it meet that demand by building new systems.

“It’s a challenging environment to hire in right now. We have to go to great lengths,” Carrier CEO David Gitlin told CNN Business last week.
Ultimately, the worker shortage could act as a brake on the industry’s growth — and that of the overall economy.

Manufacturing executives say part of the problem is that many young Americans just don’t want to work in factories, in part because of fears about robots taking over and jobs getting shipped overseas.

“We have a perception problem. People don’t know the jobs are here or that these are jobs they want,” Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute, told CNN Business. The institute is the nonprofit workforce development partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, a powerful industry trade group.

“People think it’s a stationary, low-progression and low-knowledge industry. And that’s not the case,” Lee said.

The Deloitte report said that despite an influx of 2.7 million industrial robots in use worldwide, humans are still needed to produce the vast amount of goods.

“The robots are not taking over,” said Lee. “A robot can pick up a box and move it, but a person can be creative and get ahead of what’s coming.”
Yet some robotics startups are seeking to capitalize on the shortage of skilled workers.

Path Robotics, a Columbus, Ohio-based startup, says it has designed the world’s first truly autonomous robotic welding system. The startup announced a $56 million round of funding Monday to fuel its expansion.

“Path Robotics is solving a complex and critical problem in our country by bridging the gap between the supply of skilled welders and demand,” Lee Fixel, founder of Addition, a venture capital firm that led the round of funding, said in a statement.

Even though millions of Americans remain out of work as the pandemic continues, the Deloitte report said “many manufacturers can’t fill” entry-level production associate positions that do not require technical knowhow and pay well above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

Those positions — including assemblers, production work helpers and hand-held tool cutters — only require a “basic level of ‘human capabilities’ such as following directions, willingness to learn and follow-through,” according to the report. In theory, they could be filled by people laid off in the hospitality or restaurant sectors as well as high school graduates.

Part of the struggle is that manufacturers face heavy competition for entry-level talent from warehouse and distribution centers that are feeding the e-commerce boom led by brand names like Amazon and Chewy.

Wellener, the Deloitte executive, said the rise in warehousing jobs is exacerbating the troubles for manufacturers even though those careers may offer fewer long-term opportunities.

“Those jobs plateau. A person in a warehouse will cap out in terms of their ability to grow and develop their skills,” he said.

But the worker shortage is not only about the Amazon effect.

Manufacturers are also having trouble filling middle-skill jobs that do require some level of technical training or applied skills. Those jobs include computer numerical control machinists, welders and maintenance technicians and often require training, licensing or certification.

At the same time, the Deloitte study found that one in four women are considering leaving the manufacturing industry — a situation that could amplify the industry’s diversity issues. Even though women represent almost half of the US workforce, less than a third of manufacturing professionals are women, the report said.

The report makes several recommendations for how manufacturers can do a better job of attracting talent, including launching recruitment efforts at high schools, considering flexible schedules to help work/life balance and linking leadership performance to diversity, equity and inclusion metrics.

To rebuild their talent pipeline, Lee said manufacturers must proactively reach out to more diverse groups.

“Manufacturing has traditionally been older, whiter and more male,” said Lee, who comes from a manufacturing family herself. “It’s mathematically impossible for us to compete in the future without having a more diverse workforce going forward.”

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
freelanews
Freelanews

Freelanews is a potpourri of news, entertainment, business, events and photos. This is no fake news.


Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Posts

images 12 3 2 scaled
Business

Globacom subscribers to face call restrictions to MTN lines over debts

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
January 8, 2024
60f153be1c166
Business

‘Women’s dominance’ FCMB announces appointment of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olaiya as Executive Director, Risk & Compliance

by Freelanews
July 16, 2021
Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, CEO, Fidelity Bank
Business

Post Union Bank’s acquisition, Fidelity Bank emerges Nigeria’s best-performing bank share

by Freelanews
May 10, 2023
Philémon Yang Africa SDGs funding
Sustainability

UNGA President Philémon Yang calls for $194 billion annually to achieve Africa’s SDGs

by Quadri Olaitan
October 16, 2024
Easter message from Otunba Gbenga Daniel
Business

Otunba Gbenga Daniel to speak at JCI Ikeja lecture 2024

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
September 10, 2024

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
Uche Nnaji resignation

BREAKING! Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji resigns over certificate forgery allegations

October 7, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun

Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun remembered with love

September 14, 2025
Taylor Swift deepfake scandal

Taylor Swift faces deepfake scandal as Swifties call for stricter regulation

January 25, 2024
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

0
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

0
Meran Primary Health Centre

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

0
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

0
Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
Uche Nnaji resignation

BREAKING! Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji resigns over certificate forgery allegations

October 7, 2025
October 2025
MTWTFSS
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Editor’s Pick

  • OGD vs DA
    OGD vs DA: The real story never told
    • August 22, 2025
  • Toyota Sienna harassment
    Why is Lagos State govt harassing Toyota Sienna users?
    • August 19, 2025
  • Otunba Gbenga Daniel
    Who really is Otunba Gbenga Daniel?
    • August 18, 2025

Hot!

Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Total
0
Share
0
0
0
0
0
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading