The science and technology industries are booming, but unfortunately, STEM education isn't experiencing the same boost. In fact, the gap between open manufacturing positions and qualified candidates is growing with each passing year. But exactly how big is this gap, what's causing it, and which areas of the manufacturing industries are impacted?

How Bad Is It, Really?

Some estimate the number of open manufacturing positions to be around 250,000. And with more and more baby boomers retiring every year, this number is certain to increase in the near future. According to a 2011 study, 60 percent of manufacturing executives report that they're experiencing workforce shortages. These shortages not only encompass positions like engineers and planners, but also technicians, machinists, and operators.

What Are the Causes?

At its simplest level, the talent gap is caused by a shortage of college grads or experienced engineers looking for work. Compared to the number of open positions, this number can be rather alarming. However, there are other problems that may increase the severity of the gap.

For instance, many companies that are hiring for engineering or manufacturing positions are looking for highly experienced workers. Unfortunately, most candidates in the hiring pool are fresh out of college with little practical experience. Additionally, STEM programs like industrial engineering are often far removed from the reality of manufacturing, so these new grads aren't fully prepared to take on the varied tasks of their new positions.

High demand and low supply—mixed with the employer's preference for skill over experience—have created the perfect storm for a manufacturing talent gap.

What Are the Effects?

A shortage in manpower can significantly stunt a manufacturer's growth and can harm the manufacturing industry as a whole. Companies are forced to live with unfillable vacancies or hire less skilled workers. But the effects of the talent gap reach further than this: It affects everything from the way the company operates to its hiring process.

For example, in a world without a talent gap, hiring managers would have the freedom to carefully consider each applicant without rushing to a decision. But in today's job market, many executives are finding that they have to make hurried hiring decisions in order to avoid losing skilled candidates to other companies. This can cost the company valuable time and money should the candidate be wrong for the position, and instability can further upset the way the business operates.

The first place to start in order to fix this highly detrimental talent gap is education. Many manufacturing professionals are pushing for a greater emphasis on STEM fields in school, while others suggest a restructuring of engineering curricula. By aligning education with the demands of the workforce, we can not only correct the talent gap, but also allow for more advancements in technology and manufacturing.