Employers in the industrial and manufacturing sectors have been struggling with a skills gap in their organizations for several years. Businesses need skilled employees to meet demand effectively, but there aren’t enough talented people in the job market to fill those roles.
Here are four strategies you can use to combat the skills gap in your workplace.
Develop Skills Internally
One of the most effective ways to close skills gaps is to train new and veteran employees on the skills you need today and in the future. You can develop employees through strategies like:
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- Formal and informal on-the-job training
- Apprenticeship programs
- Mentoring
- Tuition reimbursement for relevant classes and degree programs
- Reimbursement or sponsorship for achieving certifications
Not only do training programs help you develop needed skills, but they also help you boost retention. Employees are more likely to stay loyal when they feel their employer is invested in their career development.
Build A Talent Pipeline
If you are continually scrambling to fill open positions, you are working from a reactionary perspective. A proactive approach to hiring allows you to build a pipeline of interested candidates and applicants. When you have a pipeline, the process of hiring and onboarding becomes much more efficient, but building that pipeline takes time and resources. Developing a talent pipeline means forecasting demand based on potential new contracts, new product development, keeping an eye on economic conditions and anticipating the need for new skills.
Work With Skilled Temporary Workers and Contract Employees
Closing skills gaps and accessing great people often means changing the makeup of your workforce. Many skilled people in the workforce choose to work temporary and contract jobs. These workers embrace short term assignments for a variety of reasons including re-entry into the workforce after raising children or caring for an ailing relative, working on a limited basis after retirement, entering the civilian workforce after military service, the need for a flexible schedule to work around family needs and more.
Skilled temporary workers can be deployed during periods of high demand, to cover shifts while employees are on vacation, or to cover positions that will eventually be filled with a full-time employee.
Work With A Staffing Expert
One of the most efficient ways to close skill gaps and ensure you’re connecting with the right people is to work with an experienced staffing firm. These firms have a built-in pipeline of full-time and temporary workers who are seeking new opportunities. They can relieve the strain on your internal hiring team while helping you manage recruiting costs, all while improving the quality of new hires.
If you are ready to overcome close your skills gaps, call 1-800-842-0421 or click this link to contact the expert recruiters at Employment Professionals Canada today
