On Friday, February 16th, Stephanie Scearce, Director of Workforce Development, with the Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) joined MAX to review GAM’s findings from its recent workforce needs assessment. Says Scearce: “It’s no secret that our state has experienced unprecedented growth and success. In August 2023, Governor Kemp and the Georgia Department of Economic Development announced another record-breaking fiscal year, in which 38,400 new jobs were created and $24 billion in capital was invested. We are fortunate to live and work in such a prosperous state, and the Association applauds our leaders for ensuring Georgia remains the number one state in which to do business. However, indicators point to a growing problem that requires immediate attention: a chronic lack of workforce.”
Following are some highlights from Scearce’s presentation:
- Georgia manufacturers experienced a 61 percent turnover in their workforce in 2023.
- Georgia manufacturing is expected to grow another 9 percent from 2023 to 2028.
- The availability of unemployed manufacturing workers has decreased by 34 percent since January 2018.
- Of the 418,689 employed in manufacturing, almost 106,000 workers 55 and older are at risk of retiring soon.
To help address the issues, Scearce described how GAM is implementing a workforce strategy with two approaches to foster a net increase in the availability of workers with manufacturing skills, both immediate and long-term. Based on GAM’s workforce needs assessment, the following occupations are of top focus: entry-level production, multi-craft technician, robotics technician, electrical technician, mechanical technician, and welder.
The session was hosted and moderated by Daniela Perry, Vice President, Georgia Chamber Foundation, and MAX board lead for our MAX Minutes programming.
Click here for the presentation.
Click here for GAM’s workforce needs assessment report.
Click here for the recording.