Finding new skilled workers for the Indiana manufacturing industry has become a challenge due to low unemployment rates. Kris Turner of The Indianapolis Star reported that the state's manufacturers are having a difficult time finding qualified workers to fill open positions. They have about a one in 10 chance of finding the right employee due to the worker shortage. 

As of October 2015, the Hoosier state's unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, its lowest since 2001, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. That level had risen as high as 10.9 percent in February 2010. Since January 2013, the state has added 90,000 jobs, and now considers itself  "fully employed."  This high employment rate is great, except for manufacturers who want to expand. 

Indiana leads the nation in manufacturing, employing nearly 17 percent of the state's workers. The Hoosier state also leads the nation with 30 percent of its gross product coming from manufacturing. In short, Indiana needs workers. This shortage will need to be addressed so manufacturers can continue to grow and hire more workers to remain the backbone of Indiana's economy.

One outcome that could have a positive effect is that enterprises will need to hire different types of workers than they usually do, leading to more training opportunities. This could have a great benefit for workers looking to make a career change into an important industry that offers extensive benefits, competitive salaries and access to cutting-edge technology. 

Indiana manufacturers rely on Accent Software to help them implement enterprise resource planning systems. Manufacturing ERP software centralizes data, optimizes workflows and helps enterprises run more efficiently. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.