The Skilled Labor Shortage: Why Hiring Isn’t the Only Answer

The skilled labor shortage isn't going away. So what can maintenance and manufacturing leaders do about it? In this episode of The Wrench Factor, Nick Haase, Co-Founder of MaintainX, and Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial, dig into findings from a recent industry survey of more than 200 companies and experts on the skilled labor shortage. Rather than simply walking through the numbers, Nick and Jake explore what they mean for maintenance teams on the plant floor—from the difficulty of finding qualified technicians to the knowledge that disappears when experienced workers retire. They discuss why replacing headcount doesn't replace experience, how better maintenance data can help teams advocate for the resources they need, the growing reliance on contractors, and why stronger training and knowledge capture are critical to getting new hires productive faster. For maintenance and manufacturing leaders navigating smaller teams, rising workloads, and a changing workforce, this episode offers a practical look at how to make the most of the people and knowledge you already have. Download The Survival Guide to the Skilled Labor Shortage for free.