Manufacturers across North America are facing a workforce shortage that threatens productivity, growth, and competitiveness. The National Association of Manufacturers projects that 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030 due to the scarcity of skilled workers. Addressing manufacturing skilled labor gaps is no longer just about recruitment—it’s about building sustainable hiring strategies that attract, qualify, and retain the right talent quickly.

For more information on CloudApper AI Recruiter for UKG visit our page here.

For UKG customers, CloudApper AI Recruiter delivers the automation and intelligence needed to simplify hiring processes, engage candidates at scale, and close those gaps efficiently—without changing how teams already use UKG.

Closing Manufacturing Skilled Labor Gaps with Smarter Recruiting

Manufacturers struggle with multiple barriers when attempting to fill high-skill positions such as machinists, welders, CNC operators, and maintenance technicians. The competition for this talent is fierce, and traditional recruiting methods often fail to meet demand.

Here’s why manufacturing skilled labor gaps persist:

  • A shrinking talent pool: Many skilled workers are retiring, and fewer young professionals are entering manufacturing careers.

  • Long hiring cycles: Manual screening and scheduling often stretch timelines, delaying production.

  • Candidate drop-offs: Lengthy applications and poor communication lead job seekers to disengage.

  • High turnover risks: Without a strong process to qualify candidates, many hires don’t last beyond the first few months.

While UKG provides robust recruiting capabilities, scaling during high-demand periods often requires additional automation and candidate engagement. That’s where CloudApper AI Recruiter steps in.

Manufacturing Skilled Labor Gaps Filled with AI Recruiter

How CloudApper Enhances UKG Recruiting

CloudApper AI Recruiter is designed to complement and extend UKG recruiting systems. By embedding conversational and automated workflows directly into UKG Ready and UKG Pro Recruiting, it removes the friction that slows down skilled labor hiring.

Faster Candidate Qualification

Instead of recruiters manually reviewing every application, CloudApper instantly screens and qualifies candidates using structured assessments aligned with job requirements. The system syncs data with UKG, ensuring recruiters always have the most accurate profiles at hand.

In one customer case, a U.S. healthcare organization using AI Recruiter reduced the average time from application to interview from 12 days to just 72 hours. At the same time, interview show-up rates increased from 40% to 70%—a remarkable improvement in candidate engagement.

Mobile-Friendly Job Applications

Skilled candidates rarely sit at a desk to fill out lengthy applications. With CloudApper, they can apply by scanning a QR code posted at a facility, on equipment, or in training centers. Candidates can also apply via SMS, drastically reducing barriers. Every application feeds directly into UKG for seamless tracking.

Continuous Engagement to Reduce Drop-Offs

Uncertainty causes many applicants to abandon the hiring process. CloudApper solves this by keeping candidates informed with automated text and email updates. Whether confirming application receipt, sharing next steps, or sending interview reminders, it ensures consistent communication that keeps skilled workers engaged.

Automated Interview Scheduling

Coordinating schedules for managers and candidates can add days to the hiring timeline. CloudApper AI Recruiter integrates with UKG calendars, enabling candidates who meet criteria to self-schedule interviews. Notifications are automatically shared with recruiters and managers, eliminating back-and-forth emails.

Bias-Reduced Screening

Manufacturers want to hire the most capable workers, regardless of background. CloudApper helps reduce unconscious bias by standardizing resumes—removing personal identifiers such as age, location, or former employers—and presenting recruiters with objective, skills-based profiles. This supports diversity initiatives while focusing purely on qualifications.

Manufacturing Skilled Labor Gaps Filled with CloudApper

Real-World Benefits for Manufacturing Recruiters

Recruiters and HR teams in manufacturing organizations using CloudApper alongside UKG have seen measurable benefits:

  • 50% reduction in time-to-hire for critical skilled roles.

  • 30% fewer candidate drop-offs due to simplified applications and automated engagement.

  • Improved recruiter efficiency, with teams processing up to 3x more applicants without additional headcount.

  • Stronger candidate retention, since qualification workflows identify the best long-term fits.

By resolving these operational challenges, organizations are better equipped to close manufacturing skilled labor gaps and maintain productivity even in competitive labor markets.

Why CloudApper and UKG Are the Right Combination

Seamless Integration

CloudApper isn’t a separate platform recruiters need to learn. It plugs directly into UKG, pulling requisitions, syncing resumes, and updating candidate records in real time. Recruiters continue working in the UKG environment they already know, with CloudApper running in the background.

Customization for Manufacturing Needs

Every manufacturing facility has unique hiring challenges. Whether you need automated pre-screening for certifications, custom scheduling workflows, or multilingual candidate communication, CloudApper adapts to fit your processes without requiring extensive development.

Speed and Scalability

Seasonal surges, production ramp-ups, or large-scale expansions demand fast hiring. CloudApper enables UKG customers to scale recruiting processes instantly, ensuring critical roles don’t stay vacant.

Manufacturing Skilled Labor Gaps Filled for Recruiters Using UKG

Strengthening the Workforce of Tomorrow

The labor shortage in manufacturing won’t resolve itself. Organizations must adopt new methods to attract and retain skilled workers in order to stay competitive. By combining the power of UKG’s recruiting platforms with CloudApper AI Recruiter’s automation, manufacturers can overcome hiring delays, engage candidates more effectively, and place the right people in the right roles faster.

Closing manufacturing skilled labor gaps requires more than posting jobs—it demands an approach that reduces friction for candidates and frees recruiters to focus on building relationships. With CloudApper and UKG working together, that vision is now a reality.

Consult our experts today to learn how CloudApper AI Recruiter can help you solve skilled labor hiring challenges in manufacturing.