Light Industrial Staffing: A Guide to Managing Temp Workers

Attracting qualified, dedicated, loyal and hardworking employees for your light industrial business is challenging. With an incredibly high turnover rate in the industry, keeping them is even more difficult. In this article, we will be discussing the growing skills gap and why temporary workers are a necessity for any business in the light industrial sector.

Many light industrial businesses are turning to the contingent workforce and hiring temporary workers and contractors to fill their needs. The companies that are doing this, are reaping the rewards.

This method, however, doesn’t come without its challenges. Sourcing, engaging and managing temporary workers is complex and comes with thousands of data points that you must manage properly if you want to build a highly-effective non-employee workforce.

The skills shortage and why temp workers are a necessity for light industrial businesses

The shortage in skilled labor is an issue for almost every single industry in the world, and, with turnover in the industry being incredibly high, this problem is even more challenging in the light industrial sector.

In fact, according to Korn Ferry’s Future of Work research, by 2030, the global talent shortage could reach 85.2 million people - costing companies trillions of dollars in lost economic opportunity.

With unemployment figures rising since the start of 2020 due to COVID-19 and many organizations still being forced to lay off their workers to survive, you may be under the impression that the skills shortage won’t last long in the current climate.

This would be correct for many industries, where companies have had to lay off highly-skilled employees (who are now looking for remote and temporary work), but it’s far from the truth for the light industrial sector.

Hot skills in the light industrial sector are still difficult to find, depending on the industry and the skill type. In most cases, general labor in the light industrial sector is hard work and the remuneration isn’t always great.

Why would an employee go back to work when emergency COVID-19 benefits are paying them almost as much as a full day of work? As a result, businesses in the light industrial sector are finding it increasingly difficult to access top talent.

That’s where the creation of a non-employee workforce comes in

Hiring the right talent for your organization is the key to success, but what happens when those skills are getting scarcer every single day? To beat the skills shortage and access talented workers before your competitor, it’s likely that you have turned to staffing agencies and begun to build your own pool of non-employee temporary workers.

When managed correctly, temporary workers can help your business access top talent and beat the skills gap, all while saving your organization money and improving your ability to adapt to changing marketing conditions.

Despite these benefits, the management of a non-employee workforce is incredibly complex and it’s crucial that your business has access to a technology solution that ensures you have complete visibility into your temporary workforce and the vendors who provide them.

Why Conexis VMS is the Right Choice for Manufacturing & Logistics

Conexis VMS is purpose-built for companies with complex, shift-based operations. More than 60% of users are in manufacturing and light industrial roles, meaning Conexis VMS understands your operational needs.

Key Advantages:

Ease of Configuration: Conexis VMS adapts to your existing workflows, shift models, and supplier network - without long or complex implementations.
Real-Time Visibility: Every facility, every role, every worker - all visible in one dashboard.
Automation Built for Scale: From requisition to invoicing, Conexis VMS removes manual steps, freeing your team to focus on strategic workforce planning.
Secure, Compliant, and Auditable: Built-in compliance tools, automated credential tracking, and identity verification ensure every worker meets your standards.
Advanced AI Driven Forecasting: AI-driven analytics help anticipate demand, ensuring the right number of qualified workers are available when and where you need them.
Designed for Manufacturing and Logistics: Conexis VMS supports shift-based work, variable pay structures, and multi-site coordination - critical for fast-moving, high-volume environments.

Getting Started: How to Choose the Right VMS

Before implementing a system, understand your organization’s unique labor challenges. Download our Free VMS Buyer’s Guide to learn how to evaluate, compare, and choose the right solution for your operations.

Discover the Power of Conexis VMS

Conexis is an award-winning Vendor Management System built for companies that want the power of enterprise software without the complexity or cost.

Leveraging the latest technology, Conexis delivers the expertise, reliability and security of enterprise systems, while offering the flexibility, user friendliness and tailored, personal service you require. Learn more about our Company and why organizations Choose Conexis VMS.