dp_2025_02_01 - 30
OPERATIONS
workforce
of the future
by Michael Gordon | dairyprocessing@sosland.com
A
s the US dairy industry continues to play a vital role
in the nation's food supply chain, it faces an evolving
set of challenges. Among the most pressing concerns
is labor - specifically, how to address a shrinking workforce,
an aging employee base and the ongoing struggle to attract
younger workers into dairy processing jobs.
These issues are not new, but they have grown more
urgent as the demographic shift in the workforce accelerates.
Through a combination of innovation, automation, workforce
development initiatives and a shift in culture, dairy processors
are working hard to ensure the industry's future viability.
THE AGING WORKFORCE
The US dairy industry supports more than 3 million American
jobs that generate $42 billion in direct wages, according to
the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). Yet it faces
mounting challenges in securing an adequate workforce to
run the farms and manufacturing operations year-round.
With perishable products, labor shortages aren't just an
inconvenience; they're a threat to business viability for the
dairy industry.
One of the primary concerns is the aging workforce within
dairy processing plants. According to recent reports, the
30 JAN-FEB 2025 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
average age of workers in food manufacturing, including dairy
processing, has been rising steadily for years. A significant
percentage of the current workforce is nearing retirement age,
leaving a void that is becoming harder to fill.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that
employment in the manufacturing sector, including dairy
processing, will grow at a slower rate than other industries
over the next decade, exacerbating the challenge of replacing
experienced workers.
People under the age of 40 represent a smaller portion
of the population compared to baby boomers at the same
age. With each generation having fewer children, there
aren't enough Gen Xers and millennials to offset the growing
number of retirees, which impacts economic growth.
However, boomers' departure from the workforce has been
mitigated by an increase in older Americans working longer
due to longer lifespans, financial needs and incentives.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment
of workers aged 65 or older has grown by 117% within 20 years.
Employment of individuals 75 years or older has increased by
117%. As a result, the workforce is older than ever, with those
under 40 now making up 45% of the workforce, down from over
60% in 1984, while workers over 60 have doubled.
The industry is tackling labor
challenges and an aging workforce.
©Shock-stock.adobe.com
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
dp_2025_02_01
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of dp_2025_02_01
dp_2025_02_01 - Intro
dp_2025_02_01 - FC1
dp_2025_02_01 - FC2
dp_2025_02_01 - 1
dp_2025_02_01 - 2
dp_2025_02_01 - 3
dp_2025_02_01 - 4
dp_2025_02_01 - 5
dp_2025_02_01 - 6
dp_2025_02_01 - 7
dp_2025_02_01 - 8
dp_2025_02_01 - 9
dp_2025_02_01 - 10
dp_2025_02_01 - 11
dp_2025_02_01 - 12
dp_2025_02_01 - 13
dp_2025_02_01 - 14
dp_2025_02_01 - 15
dp_2025_02_01 - 16
dp_2025_02_01 - 17
dp_2025_02_01 - 18
dp_2025_02_01 - 19
dp_2025_02_01 - 20
dp_2025_02_01 - 21
dp_2025_02_01 - 22
dp_2025_02_01 - 23
dp_2025_02_01 - 24
dp_2025_02_01 - 25
dp_2025_02_01 - 26
dp_2025_02_01 - 27
dp_2025_02_01 - 28
dp_2025_02_01 - 29
dp_2025_02_01 - 30
dp_2025_02_01 - 31
dp_2025_02_01 - 32
dp_2025_02_01 - 33
dp_2025_02_01 - 34
dp_2025_02_01 - 35
dp_2025_02_01 - 36
dp_2025_02_01 - 37
dp_2025_02_01 - 38
dp_2025_02_01 - 39
dp_2025_02_01 - 40
dp_2025_02_01 - 41
dp_2025_02_01 - 42
dp_2025_02_01 - 43
dp_2025_02_01 - 44
dp_2025_02_01 - 45
dp_2025_02_01 - 46
dp_2025_02_01 - 47
dp_2025_02_01 - 48
dp_2025_02_01 - 49
dp_2025_02_01 - 50
dp_2025_02_01 - 51
dp_2025_02_01 - 52
dp_2025_02_01 - 53
dp_2025_02_01 - 54
dp_2025_02_01 - 55
dp_2025_02_01 - 56
dp_2025_02_01 - 57
dp_2025_02_01 - 58
dp_2025_02_01 - 59
dp_2025_02_01 - 60
dp_2025_02_01 - 61
dp_2025_02_01 - 62
dp_2025_02_01 - 63
dp_2025_02_01 - 64
dp_2025_02_01 - 65
dp_2025_02_01 - 66
dp_2025_02_01 - 67
dp_2025_02_01 - 68
dp_2025_02_01 - 69
dp_2025_02_01 - 70
dp_2025_02_01 - 71
dp_2025_02_01 - 72
dp_2025_02_01 - 73
dp_2025_02_01 - 74
dp_2025_02_01 - 75
dp_2025_02_01 - 76
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dp_2025_02_01
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-november-december-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-october-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-july-aug-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-may-june-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-march-april-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-january-february-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-november-december-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-october-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-july-august-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-may-june-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-march-april-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-january-february-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-november-december-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-october-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-july-august-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-may-june-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-march-april-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-january-february-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-december-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-june-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-april-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/2020_12_01
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com