Bradley Insights

Manufacturing job searches can be stressful endeavors. It takes a great deal of time and effort to search for jobs, decide whether to apply, fill out applications and wait for a hiring manager to decide to call you back. Unfortunately, many manufacturing job seekers never hear back from hiring managers, which only increases stress. The good news? There are hot manufacturing jobs in North Carolina that are hiring now, and working with an expert recruiting company can help you find those jobs and ease the stress of your search.

Manufacturing Employers in North Carolina Need People Now

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you know that there is an ongoing labor shortage and skill gap in the manufacturing industry. This means employers are in strong need of hiring great people.

According to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, the manufacturing skills gap in the U.S. could result in 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. The cost of these vacant jobs could total $1 trillion in 2030 alone.

The study also shows that approximately 1.4 million U.S. manufacturing jobs were lost during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. This set back the manufacturing labor force for more than a decade. Although the industry has recovered 63% of the jobs, this is not enough to maintain pre-pandemic output levels.

The manufacturers that participated in the survey said finding qualified candidates is 36% harder than it was in 2018. The executives reported that even filling higher-paying entry-level production roles is difficult, not to mention hiring and retaining employees for specialized roles.

Factors Influencing The Manufacturing Shortage

According to Deloitte, 38% of respondents say that younger workers have expectations other than manufacturing for jobs and careers. Also, 36% of respondents cite a lack of interest in the industry, and 34% mentioned many roles previously being filled by baby boomers who retired.

Carolyn Lee, Executive Director of the Manufacturing Institute, posited that some misconceptions about the manufacturing industry contribute to younger workers’ lack of interest in the industry. Many recent college graduates believe that manufacturing is an industry for workers without more than a high school diploma or GED. However, there are manufacturing jobs that require college degrees and advanced degrees.

The Deloitte/MI survey also showed that women and younger workers prioritize work-life balance but do not view manufacturing as an industry with much flexibility. This was especially apparent when a significant number of women left the manufacturing industry to care for their children when schools and childcare centers closed down during the early stages of COVID-19.

Hot Jobs In Manufacturing That Are Hiring Now in North Carolina

If you are looking for exciting manufacturing job opportunities in North Carolina, companies across North Carolina need great people to help make products and ensure those products get to their final destination. The shortage of workers means many employers have raised wages or are offering other bonuses and perks to new employees. Now is a fantastic time to find a great new manufacturing job in North Carolina.

Manufacturing jobs can range from engineers who program machinery to machine and line operators to general labor to quality control and support. Distribution and warehouse jobs can range from package pickers and packers to truck loaders to forklift drivers and supervisors.

Some of the best manufacturing and distribution jobs hiring right now include:

• Engineers
• Machine Operator
• Technician
• Quality Control
• Forklift Driver
• Inspector
• CNC Operators, Machinists and Programmers
• General Laborers
• Warehouse Staff
• Pickers/Packers

Looking for jobs in manufacturing and warehouse operations? Browse these job openings today.

Looking to Start or Grow Your Manufacturing Career? Consider Non-Traditional Opportunities in North Carolina

When you think about finding jobs that will advance your manufacturing career, you probably think about full-time opportunities. But savvy job seekers know that there is more than one way to get your foot in the door at great employers in North Carolina.

If you expand your job search to include contract or temporary jobs, you will find that the available pool of open jobs suddenly becomes much deeper.

Taking a temporary job can be stressful if you’re used to a full-time job, but there are many benefits to looking at temporary manufacturing jobs:

• Learn new skills: Temp jobs allow you to learn and test out new skills. Each job will have unique requirements, exposing you to skills and processes and will provide future opportunities.
• Work variety: Temporary employees have the benefit of working for a variety of employers in a variety of work environments in North Carolina.
• Work-life balance: You can strengthen your work-life balance by choosing temp jobs that are scheduled around your personal commitments. You don’t need to put in several years of service before you earn time off. Instead, you can build time in between assignments.
• Feedback: After every assignment, you’ll receive feedback from your recruiter to help you improve for your next temp job.
• Consistency in hours and pay: You get paid for the hours you work because your time is handled through your staffing firm.
• Security: Manufacturing contractors and temporary employees do not have to fear being laid off with no plan for future work. Temporary assignments have a start date and an end date, and you can fill your pipeline with new assignments with the help of your staffing company.

Not All Manufacturing Staffing Companies Are Equal

Job recruiters in North Carolina are a great resource for finding both full-time and temporary jobs at all levels of your career. However, it’s important to remember that not all recruiting companies are the same. If you choose to work with a staffing company in North Carolina, you should consider factors like:

• Local expertise: Does the staffing company have local ownership and local recruiters, and do they invest in the local community?
• Personal attention: Does the agency give you access to a real recruiter who will do things like assess your skills and prepare you for interviews?
• Types of employers they work with: Does the company have strong relationships with manufacturing employers in North Carolina that treat their people well?
• No cost: Avoid any recruiter that wants money for their services.

Looking For Great Manufacturing Jobs Hiring Now in North Carolina?

If you are ready to work, change your career or simply find a better manufacturing job, you don’t have to search on your own. The Bradley Group is a leading employment agency in North Carolina that helps people find new opportunities every day. We have deep roots in our local communities and long-standing relationships with top employers. Browse our open jobs and apply today!