Pay and benefits, training and improved company culture will be key factors to focus on for organisations attempting to retain talent in the manufacturing sector over the coming months, according to research by HR and payroll specialist Zellis.
Zellis surveyed a cross-section of the UK and Ireland manufacturing workforce, with 500 employees from a range of manufacturing subsectors responding to questions.
The study found that almost half (44%) of UK and Ireland (UK&I) employees in manufacturing are planning to leave their roles within the next two years, with a third (33%) not feeling motivated by their job.
Pay and benefits make up the most significant motivational factor for employees, according to the research, with 46% of respondents stating an increased salary or bonus would provide the necessary incentive.
Training and development opportunities are also key motivating factors, with around a third (31%) of respondents citing it as a key factor in feeling positive and motivated by their work.
However, 35% of respondents felt they weren’t getting the quality of training and development that they expect.
Furthermore, 28% of employees said they would leave their current employer sooner because of poor training and skills development. A lack of recognition or appreciation would prompt such a move in 31%, while 43% would move to a different company to escape inadequate pay and benefits.
Conversely, 51% would stay in their current role for longer if offered increased salary or bonus.
Manufacturing employees who responded to the survey also cited workplace culture as an important factor for their motivation and happiness in a role. Nearly a quarter (23%) would value “a more supportive work culture”, and 27% want to be more “recognised for their achievements”. Some 38% would leave their current employee sooner if faced with a “toxic or unsupportive work culture”.
“Finding and keeping the right people with the right skills is an ever-present problem in any industry, but particularly within a manufacturing sector which is working hard to compete globally,” said Rebecca Mullins, director of HCM Solutions at Zellis.
“With this backdrop, our research underlines a potential wave of resignations which might be faced by manufacturing organisations over the next couple of years if key changes are not made quickly,” Mullins added.
