Outlook Turning to
Technology to Confront Skills-Gap Issues
Te skills-gap issue in manufacturing has received considerable attention in the na- tional press, but few sound countermea- sures are being suggested, not to mention implemented. Te aerospace and defense industry, always on the forefront of problem solving, is one of the few market segments that seem to be finding answers to this serious and complex problem. Te simple goal is to keep manu-
facturing operations running at peak performance, despite the steady loss of seasoned personnel. Tis is no small task, as aging Baby Boomers are hit- ting retirement age at a rate of 10,000 per day, according to Census Bureau reports. Manufacturers are struggling to find qualified replacements. A 2012 De- loitte study reported as many as 600,000 jobs in manufacturing are unfilled due to the lack of right-skilled workers. Te declining rate of graduates in all-impor- tant Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects is oſten blamed. As early as 2002, the Commission on
the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry predicted an imminent decline of the industry and identified the aging workforce as a key factor, saying, “Te industry is confronted with a graying workforce in science, engineering and manufacturing, with an estimated 26% available for retirement within the next five years…compounding the work- force crisis is the failure of the US K–12 education system to properly equip US students with the math, science, and technological skills needed to advance the US aerospace industry.” Te A&D industry responded to those early warning signs with several
initiatives, including programs to boost interest in STEM courses and recruiting efforts with universities, working to build the pipeline of future job candidates. However, convincing a new genera- tion that manufacturing is a desirable career path is not an overnight project. While those long-term efforts ramp up, manufacturers—out of necessity—have learned valuable lessons about operating with leaner staffs and increasing produc- tivity of the current workforce.
Advanced ERP solutions have become a valuable tool in confronting the skills-gap issue.
Advanced ERP solutions have
become a valuable tool in confronting the skills-gap issue for A&D companies. Te solutions extend the capabilities of existing personnel, helping them manage more tasks, more efficiently. Processes are streamlined, eliminating dual data entry associated with disparate systems and removing redundancies which can clog up communication and work flow. Lean staffs, when equipped with the
right tools, are oſten more effective than an overstaffed department. Person- nel can communicate, collaborate and form small teams for problem-solving. Employees are more apt to become fully engaged and fully aligned with success metrics. With easy access to self-service reporting tools, digestible data and contextual analytics, personnel can see how their part of the puzzle completes the big picture. Tis is a whole new approach for A&D companies with a long history of departmental silos and unmotivated workforces.
Edward Talerico
Industry and Strategy Director Infor
Alpharetta, GA
Now, A&D manufacturers, contrac-
tors and suppliers are being forced to reconsider their staffing hierarchies and identify the core functions, high-priority tasks and ideal workflows. As compa- nies are taking that “let’s start with the basics” approach to assigning tasks to personnel, this becomes the optimal time to also integrate ERP-aided work- flows, automatic escalations, role-based dashboards and process flows based on best practices. Guesswork of “what should I do now?” can be removed from the employee’s day. While employees can be guided to
follow best practices, they can also be encouraged to communicate and col- laborate with colleagues—skills that can be outside many high-tech personalities’ comfort zones. Today’s ERP solutions embed social tools, which facilitate internal sharing of ideas and critical information. As fewer employees need to cover more roles, oſten multi-tasking or cross training on two or more jobs, this ability to capture, track and share knowledge is essential. Modern ERP solutions not only help
A&D manufacturers face the skills-gap issues, the advanced capabilities help manufactures re-examine their work- flows and improve efficiency through- out the operation. Forward-thinking manufacturers have transformed this challenge into an opportunity to take their manufacturing operation to a higher level of performance. Necessity is driving this change.
But manufacturers—and personnel—are benefiting and will continue to benefit from this makeover long aſter the skills- gap issue becomes a historical footnote. ✈
Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing 2014 47
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