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Yes, you are hiring! Early results from I-Connect007’s reader survey on staffing and training indicate there are jobs available across the PCB industry and on multiple continents. Our research team asked, “Are you currently hiring?” and more than 60% of respondents affirmed that is the situation for them.
This news was as we had expected, especially after viewing headlines from manufacturers in other industries. Here are just a few of the headlines we’ve seen:
- “U.S. auto suppliers scramble to fill factory jobs”
- “iPhone 12: Inside China’s ‘iPhone City,’ it’s full steam ahead to produce Apple’s new 5G handset”
- “Lake City-based AirBorn electronics manufacturer to host Saturday drive-through job fair”
- “Valmet Automotive to urgently recruit 400 workers”
- “150 new jobs to North Carolina as RF specialist expands facility”
But these job openings come with a word of caution. In its most recent economic outlook, IPC reported that the United States recorded 660,000 new jobs with upward revisions to prior months of another 145,000.
“In a normal year, a monthly gain of 661,000 would be phenomenal. In fact, it’s the fourth-best monthly gain in history, only outpaced by the prior three months. But those 661,000 new jobs come in the shadow of losing 22.2 million jobs. And they come following several months of faster recovery. The U.S. labor market has added back about half of the jobs lost in March and April. Moreover, labor force participation declined in September as some job seekers abandoned their searches. And as the pandemic has pushed schools virtually, some caretakers have likely been forced to put off work for now while they care for young children.”
IPC reported that the electronics industry seems to be holding up better than just about anyone else. The output is above pre-pandemic levels, but with less early demand for medical equipment, the electronics industry will be more dependent on the auto and aerospace industries to maintain high output.
These generalizations may or may have a direct on your business, wherever it may be located. Those who told us they’re hiring have openings in all sectors of the manufacturing process—except management. Those who aren’t hiring said they simply have all their positions filled.
I-Connect007 will be closely examining the issue of staffing and training in the December issues of SMT007 Magazine and PCB007 Magazine. We wanted to know what manufacturers and suppliers are up against and how best to provide information that will help you further your business goals heading into 2021.
Stay tuned for more details from this enlightening survey. I-Connect007 is the most extensive global source for news and original content serving the PCB design, fabrication, and assembly/EMS markets.
Help us expand our knowledge of staffing and training by taking the survey.
