U.S. manufacturers aren't the only ones pounding the pavement for talent. A Manpower Inc. survey released in March of nearly 37,000 employers in 27 countries shows that 41% of companies worldwide are having problems filling skilled positions. U.S. employers mirror the global average, with 41% of 2,407 respondents reporting talent voids.
Worldwide, manufacturing-related positions that are in short supply of workers include skilled manual trades -- ranking second overall -- followed by technicians in third and engineers in fourth. Laborers, production operators and machinists/machine operators ranked in the bottom half of the top 10 jobs that employers are having difficulty filling. Countries with the lowest percentage of skilled-worker shortages include India, Ireland, the Netherlands and China.
Who's Seeking Workers | |
| Country | Percentage of respondents facing talent shortages |
| Costa Rica | 93% |
| Mexico | 82% |
| New Zealand | 62% |
| Australia | 61% |
| Japan | 61% |
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About the Author
Jonathan Katz
Former Managing Editor
Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.
Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.
Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.