Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1497518
44 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2023 Rebuilding our workforce aer the COVID- 19 pandemic has been a challenge. Nation- wide, we downsized to combat market condi- tions and ultimately lost good employees due to either the virus or them finding new work elsewhere. at has le some rather large gaps in our manufacturing workforce. Human resource departments are scrambling to find new employees, while the manufacturing base struggles to educate and bring new employees up to speed. If not handled correctly, this sce- nario could create even greater problems for manufacturers. Preparing Employees for the Long Haul While automating menial or repetitive tasks is one way to quickly fill the gaps at low- or entry-level positions in the workforce, filling more complex roles can be more challenging, and is where many companies fall short. Companies find new candidates, send them into the workplace jungle, and assign them a supervisor who instructs them on their tasks or duties. Realistically, new employees are oen overwhelmed and may struggle to master the assigned tasks. In many cases, the supervi- sor is also over-tasked with other duties and responsibilities and cannot provide the over- Testing Todd Feature Column by Todd Kolmodin, GARDIEN SERVICES USA