Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/730290
A Changing Workforce, a Challenge for Employers There is no question that a significant demographic shift within the U.S. workforce population is at hand. A National Technical Assistance and Research (NTAR) Leadership Center report in 2012 estimated that 25 million baby boomers (40 percent of the U.S. labor force) will retire by 2020, taking with them decades of experience, expertise and understanding of company practices. Creative solutions to this "brain drain" phenomenon are scarce, as they require companies to devote significant resources to workforce demographic analysis, accurate projections and hiring practices implemented quickly enough to pass on older workers' expertise to younger colleagues before retirement. To compound the problem of impending retirement, major talent shortages have been ongoing for years. A 2012 survey of 1,300 U.S. employers listed skilled trades in its top 10 hardest-to-fill positions. This is where Noria Workforce Solutions comes in. What is Noria Workforce Solutions? Noria Workforce Solutions (NWS) is a holistic approach to the complex problem of filling open positions that require skilled lubrication and oil analysis personnel. Noria technical consultants thoroughly observe and evaluate your facility's lubrication practices to identify opportunities for improvement and set priorities for lubrication program development. Following the assessment, Noria trained and certified personnel arrive at your facility ready to work. A Noria technical consultant supervises the initial onsite onboarding, begins the lubrication program development, provides remote management and reporting, and visits periodically to ensure program success. At the end of the technician's contract, you have the option to renew the contract or hire them long-term. SOLUTIONS WORKFORCE Vacancy Case Study Skilled trade staff shortfalls are only compounded by large numbers of retiring professionals. The numbers below were reported by one of Noria's large manufacturing customers following a skilled trades evaluation for 2015-2016: • Project Support Staff – 11% vacant positions • Maintenance/Repair Personnel – 15% vacant positions • Retiring Staff – 18% anticipated vacant positions • TOTAL: 44% skilled trade personnel needed