The Current State of the Global Manufacturing Workforce in 2025 and Beyond 

The Current State of the Global Manufacturing Workforce in 2025 and Beyond reveals challenges, opportunities and priorities facing manufacturers. Drawing on survey data collected from 537 manufacturing decision-makers combined with a series of interviews with industry experts, we curated insights into the needs of the industry’s workforce and what manufacturers are doing to meet them.

This comprehensive research uncovered challenges and opportunities facing manufacturing leaders related to: 

  • Workforce management opportunities like improving rostering flexibility, generational skill gaps, time management, balancing global standardisation with local compliance 
  • Change management challenges like overwhelming workers with “change fatigue” and the desire for authentic communication 

Prepare for the future of manufacturing now: dive into our findings for insights that put your workforce in the best position to enable your business for success. 

  

Discover What Makes for a Thriving Workforce

Join leading manufacturers in transforming your workforce management approach to future-proof your operations. Gain valuable insights from our report on driving success in the manufacturing sector. 

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Plan to invest in a rostering solution within the next three years 
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Understand the benefits of global standardisation that can be properly adapted for local compliance
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Have a change management strategy in place

The Top Workforce Trends Facing the Manufacturing Industry

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Next-Gen Workforce: Gen Z and Millennials are Redefining the Workplace

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Combating Change Fatigue: Putting People First in Industry 4.0 Transformation

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Employee Engagement Starts With Authentic Communication

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Employees Want More Control Over Their Time Management and Rostering

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Compliance Remains a Top Manufacturing Concern

“We need to make manufacturing jobs attractive to Gen Z. By achieving social sustainability and limiting negative workplace experiences for workers, we have a greater chance of attaining the right number of workers with the right skills at the right time to support the industry.”

Dr. David Carlos Romero Díaz, Professor of Advanced Manufacturing, Monterrey University in Mexico and Scientific Vice-chairman for the World Manufacturing Foundation

In this exclusive report, learn why manufacturing leaders are operating with a sense of urgency to redesign their workforce management practices for the next generation of workers.

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