We asked the NCMA survey participants, what skills are applicants lacking that apply for positions with your company? Participants collectively identified “soft skills” as the number one skill level lacking, followed by machine operation skills and problem-solving skills.  92 percent (92%) of all survey participants said that soft skills are lacking in applicants.  The survey listed examples of soft skills, including work ethic, good attendance, people skills, and can follow instructions. Lack of machine operation skills and problem-solving skills tied as 77 percent (77%) of all participants agreed that these skills were missing from applicants applying for jobs. See Figure 1.

The NCMA Survey manufacturer participants answered similarly to all participants.  91 percent (91%) stated that job applicants lack soft skills.  However, 91 percent (91%) of the manufacturer participants also lack machine operation skills, followed by . . . to READ MORE – click here to download the recent report.