Majority of Manufacturers Struggle to Find Qualified Candidates to Fill Open Positions in Latest Skills Gap Survey Conducted by LMA Consulting Group Inc. and APICS-Inland Empire

CLAREMONT, Calif., Dec. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Lisa Anderson, president of LMA Consulting Group, in conjunction with the APICS – Inland Empire chapter, conducted a skills gap survey which asked hiring managers and human resources professionals about recruiting and employment trends in manufacturing and distribution.  Results show that 77% of manufacturers and distributors are facing challenges finding skilled workers for new positions and to replace those workers who have left. The survey also touched on how manufacturers and distributors recruit, retain and train workers in their companies.

"We initiated the study because in my consulting business as well as serving as the Inland Empire chapter president for APICS, we keep hearing that manufacturers cannot find good people," explains Anderson. "Even though unemployment remains higher than pre-recession levels, manufacturers and distributors cannot find the talent required to support their business. To add fuel to the fire, as supply chains have become more complex in recent years, a higher level of skills and talent is required for success, leaving a skills gap."

Working in conjunction with APICS-Inland Empire, Anderson crafted a questionnaire that not only asked whether manufacturing employers were having difficulty developing, retaining and recruiting key talent, but also tried to delve into the reasons why and where improvements could be realized.

"The study didn't just focus on new hires, but rather the whole workforce," says Anderson. "We have nearly 90% of those surveyed feeling that they are experiencing a skills gap.  We're at a perfect storm in terms of talent with the emergence of three key trends: 

1. Employees are feeling more comfortable with the recovery and are leaving their current positions to pursue better opportunities. 
2. Skilled baby boomers are feeling more secure and opting to retire. 
3. Manufacturing and systems technologies have advanced, leaving some traditional workers without the necessary skills to function in the new business normal."

The complete Manufacturing and Distribution Skills Gap report will be available in mid-December. To automatically receive the free report when it is available, register here.

For information about Lisa Anderson, go to http://www.lma-consultinggroup.com/ or call 909.630.3943.

About LMA Consulting Group – Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP

**MEDIA EXPERT: Supply Chain Management, Logistics, ERP, VMI, Social Networks for Business**

Lisa Anderson is a leading expert in selecting & implementing strategic priorities. She is known for her unique ability to zero in on the critical strategic priorities and bridge the gap between strategy and execution to achieve dramatically improved service levels, accelerated cash flow and increased profits. With a keen focus on elevating business performance, Lisa is passionate about not only synthesizing strategic priorities that will deliver business results but also in designing an implementation approach that delivers rapid results.

Prior to founding LMA Consulting Group Inc., Lisa was the Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain of PaperPak, Inc. Her twelve-year tenure included transitions and promotions through the company transformation from a $100 million family-owned business, through a merger and acquisition of three businesses into one $350 million dollar global company, followed by a management leveraged buyout in combination with an investment banking group.

A sought-after writer and speaker, Lisa has spoken at the Global Supply Chain & Logistics Summit, the APICS International Conference and as a visiting lecturer at the University of Southern California's Entrepreneurial Program. Lisa is the author of "Leverage Social Networks to Drive Business Results," has published hundreds of articles and has been quoted in the media including The Wall Street Journal, ABC News and Industry Week.

Lisa serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Advanced Supply Chain Certification program at California State University Fullerton's Extended Education, is Board approved in Supply Chain strategy by the Society for Advancement in Consulting, is an APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and won the APICS Southwest District's Milt Cook Award in 2011.

With a blend of management, finance and operations, Lisa received her MBA with an emphasis in Finance from California State University Fullerton and her BSBA with an emphasis in Operations Management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She has traveled extensively throughout North America, Central America and Europe, including a summer in Oxford when attending the University of North Carolina. Lisa tries to make as many stops as possible at in New Orleans to enjoy a beignet at the Café de Monde. And, in recognition of her extraordinary tenacity to accomplish goals, her colleagues fondly refer to her as "pit terrier."

SOURCE LMA Consulting Group, Inc.