The manufacturing economy remains the largest segment of the workforce in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, as Kinexus Group officials say 18.6% of all jobs in the tri-county area are in that segment. Elizabeth Bernhard is the executive director of the Manufacturing Growth Alliance and says companies are getting innovative to attract new talent.
“They need to automate,” says Bernhard. “They need to move their individuals who are currently employed out of the monotonous and routine work that’s less inspiring and move them into positions where there is more engagement and creativity and also to create cultures that are highly inclusive and cultures where their individual contributions are valued and recognized.”
Kinexus Group president and CEO Todd Gustafson says another issue are the coming retirements of people who are now 45 to 55.
“That’s nothing new, but it’s so much larger; the numbers are significant. They’re not knock-off numbers here and there. They’re transformational numbers. So there’s that growing sense of urgency to double down on building the pipelines that support them finding talent,” says Gustafson.
Job postings in manufacturing are up 50% compared to 2019 and unemployment in that part of the economy is down. Bernhard says many CEOs are worried about a possible recession, but adds that varies based on what they are making.
