The Weekly Report – January 8, 2024
For leaders with a new year’s resolution to tackle persistent workforce challenges, our next manufacturing workshop is a great way to begin 2024.
In a tight labor market, ensuring a strong workforce means retaining the good employees you have. At Enterprise Minnesota’s January 11 workshop in Plymouth, one of our talent and leadership development experts Nicole Lian will share practical methods to retain employees.
Nicole has developed six key drivers of retention, of which she’ll focus on three during the workshop: culture, employment, and development. Nicole will share a road map for retention that integrates business, HR, and retention strategies that emphasize engagement. She’ll also give you strategies for communicating and connecting all employees with company culture; implementing a development process for employees that covers their entire tenure with the company; and ensuring that new hires match company values.
Current economic data shows Minnesota’s unemployment rate at 3.1%. Our state saw more than 9,500 jobs created in 2023, including 1,000 in manufacturing, meaning Minnesota manufacturers continue to face competition for high-performing employees.
At the same time, our experts often describe the “J” curve found in many manufacturing workplace populations, with a few relatively young employees, not many in the middle years of their careers, and a large number nearing retirement. Research shows that roughly 74,000 Minnesotans will enter retirement each year between now and 2035.
The bottom line: now is the time to take action on workforce challenges. The best approach to retention is employee engagement. Engaged employees are more likely to refer potential hires to your company, produce fewer defects, and generate future ideas for improvement.
Please join us for the workshop on Thursday, January 11 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Plymouth Community Center. Register online.
Workshop takeaways include:
Who Should Attend:
Any manufacturer who wants to learn why employee engagement is the key to a productive workforce, and how to start building an engaging work environment.
Find upcoming manufacturing events and workshops on our Events page.
Northeast Range students put their skills to the test for Minnesota Manufactured Video Challenge
January 5, Hometown Focus
Positive news on jobs, population in Minnesota
January 5, Albert Lea Tribune
After a tough year, manufacturing has reasons to be hopeful
January 5, Marketplace.org
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community provides $5 million in new funding for startup producing “rare earth-free” permanent magnets
January 4, The Circle News
Duluth-based Arbor Woods Co. expands manufacturing capacity with strategic acquisition of EcoVantage LLC
January 4, Duluth News Tribune