{"organism":"Page","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","children":[{"organism":"Metadata","model":{"title":"The Plastics Manufacturer Paradox | Shell Polymers","text":"\u003Cp\u003EA key hurdle to growth in the plastics industry, and other manufacturing professions, is the lack of qualified labor.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","links":[{"name":"The Plastics Manufacturer Paradox | Shell Polymers","value":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.png/1727966850745/labor-gap-teaser.png","alt":"Two plastics manufacturer employees walking towards the plant","width":3798,"height":2145}},"id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/metadata"},{"organism":"ContentOwner","model":{},"id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/contentowner"},{"organism":"Container.Header","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.us/business/_jcr_content/root/header/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/header/inherited","model":{}},{"organism":"Breadcrumb","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.us/"},{"name":"Business","value":"https://www.shell.us/business.html"},{"name":"Sectors","value":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors.html"},{"name":"Shell Polymers","value":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers.html"},{"name":"Resources & insights","value":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights.html"},{"name":"The Plastics Manufacturer Paradox: Where Is All The Talent?","value":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/header/breadcrumb"}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/header","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Main","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PageHeader","color":"inherited","model":{"title":"The Plastics Manufacturer Paradox: Where Is All The Talent?","text":"\u003Cp\u003EA key hurdle to growth in the plastics industry, and other manufacturing professions, is the lack of qualified labor.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","image":{"src":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/_jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/page_header_copy_cop.shellimg.png/1727966870326/labor-gap-teaser.png","alt":"Two plastics manufacturer employees walking towards the plant","width":3840,"height":960}},"id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/page_header_copy_cop"},{"organism":"Container","colspan":8,"children":[{"organism":"Author.Info","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy","model":{"links":[{"name":"By Shell Polymers on Jun 20, 2021"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/_jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy.shellimg.jpeg/1727966882088/shell-polymers.jpeg","alt":"Shell Polymers","width":600,"height":600}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/simple_copy_copy_cop/text","model":{"text":"\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 0.625rem; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003EIn the first quarter of 2019, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reported that more than 25% of manufacturers had to turn down new business opportunities due to worker shortages.\u003Csup\u003E¹\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003E2021 magnified this challenge as businesses across industries struggled to staff to keep up with demand. In manufacturing specifically, this was causing \u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/supply-chain-transparency.html\" target=\"_self\"\u003Esupply chain\u003C/a\u003E hiccups including production delays, higher end use costs, and a lack of transportation and raw materials. According to Ford Motor Co, the semiconductor scarcity, caused by a surge in demand and a lack of resources and labor, could force the company to produce 1.1 million fewer cars, causing a 2.5 billion dollar loss in 2021.\u003Csup\u003E2\u003C/sup\u003E With the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/polymer-industry-trends-deck-the-halls-with-boughs-of-polyethylene.html\" target=\"_self\"\u003Eplastics industry\u003C/a\u003E already facing record-high costs and raw material shortages, adding the labor challenge is like putting salt on a wound. In a recent survey, the Manufacturing Institute reported that 77% of respondents are struggling to fill job roles.\u003Csup\u003E3\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2 style=\"font-family: type-font, Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 1.25rem 0px 0.625rem; line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1.625rem; color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003EAdvanced Technologies Help Manufacturers Bridge the Labor Gap\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003ETo combat the issue, manufacturers are \u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/industry-40-examples-advanced-technologies-in-action.html\" target=\"_self\"\u003Eexploring advanced technologies\u003C/a\u003E to unlock cost efficiencies.\u003Csup\u003E4\u003C/sup\u003E However, the increased use of technology also increases the level of employee skill required, which provides another layer of challenge to the hiring dilemma. In a recent McKinsey report, they showed the likelihood of COVID-19 propelling a faster adoption of automated machinery and AI, especially in places where physical proximity is high, like factories and warehouses.\u003Csup\u003E5\u003C/sup\u003E As McKinsey stated, “The common feature of these automation use cases is their correlation with high scores on physical proximity, and our research finds the work arenas with high levels of human interaction are likely to see the greatest acceleration in adoption of automation and AI.”\u003Csup\u003E6\u003C/sup\u003E McKinsey also reports that remote work and virtual meetings will continue to be a popular format for some employers, though that may be difficult for locations like factories where on-site staff is needed.\u003Csup\u003E7\u003C/sup\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 700;\"\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003EIn addition, industries like hospitality and fulfillment are experiencing similar labor challenges, so manufacturers are competing against job incentives like signing bonuses and other valuable perks. For example, an Amazon facility in Michigan was offering a $1,000 signing bonus for warehouse work to bring in new workers. In an interview with Plastics News, chief administrative officer David Lawrence of a Michigan-based metal stamper and engineering firm shared that he hypothesized that the hard work of \u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/future-of-the-manufacturing-industry.html\" target=\"_self\"\u003Emanufacturing\u003C/a\u003E may be losing out to jobs perceived as easier.\u003Csup\u003E8\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003EOvercoming challenges like hiring requires an in-depth knowledge of what is happening in the industry. Collaboration and transfer of knowledge across the plastics value chain is one critical piece to streamlining supply chains in the face of disruptions. That’s why \u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers.html\" target=\"_self\"\u003EShell Polymers\u003C/a\u003E has our ear to the ground and shares insights to help \u003Ca href=\"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/overcome-production-challenges-for-plastic-converters.html\" target=\"_self\"\u003Eplastics converters\u003C/a\u003E navigate trying times and effectively forecast supply needs, implement the latest technology, and establish cost-efficient operations.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/simple_copy_copy_cop","model":{}},{"organism":"PromoFull.Right","color":"brand3-solid","id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/promo","model":{"title":"Stay Ahead of Industry Trends","text":"\u003Cp\u003ESupply chain challenges continue to affect our industry and the food and beverage market is growing at a rapid pace. Learn how to deal with these changes in our free report.\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","links":[{"name":"Get the Report","value":"https://us.polymers.shell.com/polymers-trends-industry-shifts-affecting-polyethylene-production?mcchannel=shell&_gl=1*z1tckf*_gcl_au*MTY1Nzk3NDcwMy4xNzI3MTgzNjY3"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/_jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/promo.shellimg.png/1727967296612/trends-report-infographic.png","alt":"Stay Ahead of Industry Trends","width":11520,"height":6480}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent/jcr_content/root/main/section_copy_copy_co/text","model":{"text":"\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 0.625rem; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003E\u003Csup\u003E1\u003C/sup\u003E https://www.industryweek.com/talent/article/22027389/how-manufacturers-are-tackling-the-skills-gap\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003E\u003Csup\u003E2\u003C/sup\u003E https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-04-30/labor-shortage-rising-costs-supply-chain-hiccups-hit-manufacturers\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003E\u003Csup\u003E3\u003C/sup\u003E https://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/research/the-manufacturing-institute-bkd-small-and-medium-sized-manufacturers-survey/\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; margin: 0.625rem 0px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial, Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003E\u003Csup\u003E4\u003C/sup\u003E https://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/research/the-manufacturing-institute-bkd-small-and-medium-sized-manufacturers-survey/\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp style=\"line-height: 1.5; 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Learn ways that we can overcome this hurdle.","links":[{"name":"canonical","value":"https://www.shell.us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent.html"},{"name":"hierarchy","value":"en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent"},{"name":"homeTitle","value":"Business"},{"name":"homeUrl","value":"https://www.shell.us/business.html"},{"name":"locale","value":"en-US"},{"name":"title","value":"The Plastics Manufacturer Paradox | Shell Polymers | Business"},{"name":"textDirection","value":"ltr"},{"name":"template","value":"base"},{"name":"contentPath","value":"/content/shell/countries/united-states/en_us/business/sectors/shell-polymers/resources-and-insights/the-plastics-manufacturer-paradox-where-is-all-the-talent"},{"name":"externalDisclaimerText","value":"Shell plc Legal Disclaimer\r\n\r\nYou are now leaving the Shell US website.\r\nThe link you have selected will direct you to a website that is not controlled by Shell plc or any member of the Shell Group. 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