The industrial sector faces various challenges in managing its workforce. Here are some strategies and approaches that can be utilized to address these challenges:
1. Leveraging Existing Data and Standardized Formats: One challenge is the lack of fully leveraging existing data from program offices on the companies that provide parts at the lower tiers of the supply chain. This data is not currently collected in a standardized format, which hinders gaining better insights into the supply chain. Addressing this challenge would enable better analysis of the industrial base and resource allocation .
2. Augmenting Workforce with Contractors: Many organizations in the industrial sector rely on contract staff to augment their workforce. However, there can be limitations in terms of contractors accessing business-sensitive data needed to build systems that facilitate industrial base analysis. It is important to ensure that contractors have the necessary access to data while maintaining data security .
3. Utilizing Quality Information and Personnel Mix: Federal Standards for Internal Control call for agency management to utilize quality information and ensure a personnel mix with the requisite capabilities needed to achieve the agency’s objectives. Addressing workforce challenges involves ensuring that the right personnel with the necessary skills and capabilities are in place to meet the objectives of the organization .
4. Workforce Development and Pipeline Growth: To address workforce shortages, it is crucial to focus on workforce development and growing the pipeline of engineers and infrastructure workers. This can be achieved through collaboration between private industry and public sector infrastructure groups, as well as involving stakeholders such as governors’ offices, the federal government, infrastructure owners, operators, engineering contractors, and academics. The roundtable discussions can identify actionable approaches, best practices, and programs/policies to reduce barriers to entry and grow the workforce in the industrial sector .
5. Addressing Skill Gaps: Establishing Jobs and Skills Councils can be an effective approach to address skills and workforce challenges in specific industries. These councils bring together industry stakeholders to create a consistent approach to addressing skill gaps and developing strategies for workforce development .
6. Industry-Specific Workforce Advisory Programs: Industry-specific workforce advisory programs provide consultation and support to businesses in addressing workforce growth and challenges. These programs offer assistance in identifying workforce challenges, developing workforce plans, and suggesting options to address them. They can be particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses in the industrial sector .