Beyond the Skills Gap: Ann Wyatt on Talent, Technology, and Transition

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer interviews Ann Wyatt, the founder of Ann Wyatt Recruiting and the host of the Workforce 4.0 show. Ann shares her journey from working in the government to starting her own recruiting business. She specializes in recruiting for the manufacturing industry, particularly metals, pulp, and paper. Ann discusses the skills gap in manufacturing and how she helps companies bridge that gap by advocating for workforce development and implementing new technologies. Ann Wyatt discusses training challenges in the manufacturing industry and the need to advocate for short-term training and transferable skill sets in this conversation. They also explore the automation culture paradox and the importance of data in measuring workforce performance. Ann shares her insights on the future of talent acquisition and company culture in manufacturing, emphasizing the value of people over capital investments. They conclude by discussing the need to focus on employee experience and the importance of not singling out employees.

Takeaways

• Ann Wyatt is a pioneer in talent acquisition for the manufacturing industry, focusing on metals, pulp, and paper.
• She is passionate about workforce development and bridging the skills gap in manufacturing.
• Ann helps companies by advocating for workforce development programs and implementing new technologies.
• She uses Boolean search strings to find qualified candidates and enjoys the screening process. Advocate for short-term training and identify transferable skill sets to address training challenges in the manufacturing industry.
• Recognize the automation culture paradox and the need for cultural readiness to embrace automation in manufacturing facilities.
• Utilize data to measure workforce performance and make informed talent acquisition and retention decisions.
• Value people as a capital investment in manufacturing and prioritize their well-being and development.
• To create a positive and engaging work culture, focus on the entire employee experience, from recruitment to exit interviews.

Connect with Ann on Linkedin

Watch Workforce 4.0 on YouTube

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