The manufacturing industry is evolving, redefining how we approach automation, artificial intelligence (AI) , and sustainability. Traditional positions such as production operators, machinists, and quality control inspectors are now being expanded to include expertise in design engineering, robotics, 3D printing, data science, and systems administration. As technology advances, so do the skills required to work in this industry. At the same time, manufacturing faces a growing talent gap—an estimated 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030. To keep pace, talent acquisition teams need innovative recruitment strategies. A focus on the less visible facets of these evolving manufacturing roles could help address critical shortages while preparing for the future of the industry. Forage offers virtual experiences that give candidates hands-on experience with real-world tasks, helping them develop the skills employers need. By using Forage, organizations can attract and prepare talent more effectively, gaining a competitive edge in the race for top talent.
Attracting the Right Talent in Modern Manufacturing
Employers must clearly define job roles and requirements to attract candidates who can thrive in these demanding environments. Aerospace and defense engineering has many different subsectors to consider when hiring for open roles. Government and private sector roles operate under different budget and regulatory structures while remaining focused on the same types of projects and skills. It’s important for employers to make their open roles as clear as possible to attract the best-fit talent: Sharing the required skills, technical knowledge, and experiences, plus clearances for public sector roles, will set candidates up for success.
Roles in manufacturing aren’t limited to fabricating parts or assembling materials in a factory environment. Different disciplines are required to take a product from blueprint to showroom: Design engineers, systems administrators, technicians, and quality control are just a few. That means it’s essential to get hiring right for these types of roles and ensure success for manufacturing employers.
A great example of a company clearly explaining its roles is GE Aerospace. They use Forage job simulations to recruit early talent for electrical engineering positions, allowing candidates to work on tasks similar to those performed by GE’s engineers daily. These simulations enable candidates to learn and practice new skills, such as electrical system design, avionics analysis, and verification planning. One simulation even challenges applicants to design a reliable power distribution system for aerospace applications.
Virtual experiences through Forage can help companies demonstrate the different types of roles they have to offer and the diversity of required skills for each open role, while creating an engaging, modern candidate journey.
The Need for a Future-Ready Manufacturing Workforce
The manufacturing industry continues to face issues such as supply chain disruptions and advancing sustainability initiatives. In 2021, global supply chain disruptions were documented in 11,642 incidents, highlighting persistent vulnerability in supply networks. On the sustainability front, according to a survey from the National Association of Manufacturers, 58% of manufacturers in 2022 considered sustainability essential to future competitiveness, up from 38% in 2021. Additionally, over 95% of manufacturers have implemented sustainability and/or ESG policies in the past two years, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainable practices.
These statistics highlight the critical need for a workforce skilled in navigating supply chain complexities and driving sustainability initiatives. To stay ahead, candidates must be equipped to leverage tools such as predictive analytics and AI to anticipate bottlenecks, address resource shortages, and streamline logistics—while remaining committed to sustainable practices.
The way we approach these problems will change as the technologies mature and new platforms enter the market. Now is the time for recruiters to focus on closing the skills gap and fostering a more agile workforce.
Guiding the Right-Fit Talent to Open Roles
Employers need candidates with the right skills and technical knowledge to fill critical manufacturing roles, especially as the industry evolves. Forage helps TA teams broaden their recruiting funnel, bringing in talent prepared to meet today’s demands and drive the industry forward.
Contact us to learn more about how top companies are using Forage Job Simulations in their talent acquisition strategy.
