Baby Boomer Factory Workforce Will Be Hard to Replace

The baby boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is the longest-living generation in US history, with a population of 73 million. By 2031, the youngest boomers will turn 67 and become eligible to receive Social Security benefits. That’s only eight years away!

Economists are concerned about the economic effects of boomers reaching their later years, as they retire from the workforce and consume and spend less. The Great Recession of 2008 has also caused many boomers to work extra years to make up for losses in their retirement portfolios.

Boomers have been always been a fixture on the production lines of the offsite construction industry including modular and manufactured housing. But the Great Recession has resulted in a low workforce participation rate, and many boomers are now retiring in significant numbers. This will impact the labor force and consumer spending, as retirees produce and contribute less, and spend less as well.

While some boomers take the “live-to-work” ethos to an extreme, nearly 40% of Americans age 55 and older remain active in the workforce. Ultimately, the retirement of boomers will have widespread effects on the American economy, with high impacts on consumer spending and potential job availability for younger employees.

Enter Gen Z Into the Workforce

By 2025, Gen Z is expected to account for 27% of the workforce, and employers must understand what motivates this unique generation. Gen Z is the first digital generation, growing up with access to global content and information. They prioritize jobs that allow them to broaden their skills and experience and are willing to change jobs up to 10 times between ages 18 and 34. 

They value work-life balance, remote working, and flexible leave, and seek employers who are committed to diversity, inclusion, ethics, and transparency. 

Offsite housing factories need to attract and retain Gen Z talent by offering purposeful employee experiences, development opportunities, and future career prospects. These have never been important for the Baby Boomer crowd but if factories don’t begin working to make them top priorities, a whole generation could slip through not giving offsite housing production work a fleeting glance. 

With their resilience and potential to pioneer nomadic careers, Gen Z could drive a shift in companies’ mindsets and strategies, leading to enduring repercussions on the world of work.

Factory production work may not be the most appealing option for many in this generation, as it may not align with their career aspirations or provide the desired work environment. 

However, there may be some Gen Zers who find fulfillment and purpose in such work. Ultimately, it depends on the individual’s values, interests, and career goals and how factories define careers for them.

Gary Fleisher, the Modcoach

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Gary Fleisher

Gary Fleisher, “The Mod Coach”, has been entrenched in the offsite construction industry for most of his life. Having started his career in the lumber industry, Gary spent decades working with manufactured and modular home producers and homebuilders. For the past 15 years his blog and LinkedIn postings have introduced thousands to the benefits of factory-built construction and have served as a forum for industry professionals to share insights and perspectives. Gary lives in Hagerstown, MD with his wife, Peg.