Are you finding it difficult to find skilled production personnel in the baking industry? If so, you’re not alone.
Earlier this week BakingBusiness.com published an article about the key findings from “The Workforce Gap in U.S. Commercial Baking: Trends, Challenges and Solutions” released during the American Bakers Association’s (ABA) annual convention held earlier this month. One of the key findings highlights the current shortage of skilled production personnel in the industry, as well as predicting it’s only going to get worse over the next decade.
The report was commissioned by the ABA and the American Society of Baking (ASB) and includes a survey completed by skilled hourly and salaried production personnel who work for companies that make up close to 75% of total annual sales within the baking industry.
The survey was conducted by Cypress Research Associates and focuses on the skills shortage in the industry. To forecast what the next decade will look like, those surveyed in human resources and management roles were ask to predict any changes the industry will see in the next ten years.
Survey Highlights
Current statistics concerning hourly workers:
• 78% indicated a current high or severe shortage of skilled maintenance and engineered personnel
• 40% indicated a shortage of skilled machine operators
• 18% mentioned unskilled production workers being an issue
Current statistics concerning salaried workers:
• 59% of managers indicated a high or severe shortage in the engineering/maintenance department
• 22% noted the concern in production management
• 21% indicated the shortage with scientists or staff in R&D and production development departments
Predictions for 2025
Future predictions of hourly workers:
• 78% of respondents predicted a high or severe shortage of maintenance and engineering personnel (the same as what’s currently being observed)
• 61% predicted a shortage of machine operators (up 21%)
• 37% predicted a shortage of production workers (up 19%)
Future predictions of salaried workers:
• 62% of respondents predicted a skilled-worker shortage with engineering and maintenance (up 3%)
• 32% predicted a shortage relating to production management (up 10%)
• 38% predicted a shortage in scientists, R&D and production development personnel (up 17%)
What can be done as an industry to address this gap? For more information on the study and industry insight, visit BakingBusiness.com.