A discussion on the lack of manpower and possible ways of attracting new talent was the main focus of the recent meeting of the Manufacturing Alliance of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, writes Jane Von Bergen for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The lack of manpower is a huge issue in the field, according to Jim McKeown, the hiring manager at Kingsbury Inc., which manufactures bearings in Philadelphia and Hatboro.

“I don’t know where we are heading with manufacturing,” he said. “The last 10 years have been difficult.”

He added that in addition to a lack of manpower, there is also an age issue, with the majority of workers currently working in the field from an older generation.

“The youth doesn’t seem to have the energy or the initiative,” said McKeown. “I hope I’m wrong about them.”

Not everybody agreed with his assessment.

John Shegda, president of M&S Centerless Grinding in Hatboro, noted that half of his staff are millennials. He also believes that manufacturers need to find ways to romance employees by showing how their work on a product makes a huge difference down the line.

Andrew B. Varga, a human resources manager for Horsham’s Ball Corp. who is looking to hire more people, added that the biggest problem is finding skilled technicians.

Barbara Getting, a human resources manager at Hatfield’s EST Group, agreed, as she has been looking for two machinists since January.

Suggestions during the evening ranged from hiring an outside recruiter, to identifying the company’s culture and values, and hiring people who will fit in.

Read more about the discussion in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.