Childcare shortage preventing further growth for Missouri manufacturers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (WGEM) – Missouri’s manufacturing sector is going strong, but it faces a big obstacle with a labor shortage.

Gray Manufacturing out of St. Joseph employs over 300,000 Missourians making hydraulic products used in car maintenance. President Stet Schanze says Gray is optimistic about the future of manufacturing in Missouri, and he should be.

A report released Thursday from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows Missouri’s manufacturing industry is improving, but has room for growth. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry released 7 recommendations on how to grow the manufacturing industry in Missouri. The number one recommendation is growing the workforce.

Schanze hopes to target some typically overlooked populations when it comes to hiring, including women. But in order to do that, the Missouri Chamber said the state must first address its child care shortage.

“Manufacturing historically has a lower number of females working for it,” Shanze said. “Childcare is certainly one of the issues where young moms can’t sometimes work because they have to take care of their children.”

A recent study from United WE shows there are three children in need for every one open child care spot. The study said 85% of Missouri does not have enough child care for working parents, which is preventing economic growth.

One tangible solution is cutting the red tape needed to start and run a childcare center, allowing them to bring in more clients. Another is creating child care tax credits so low income parents can afford to drop off children while they head to work.

“When parents don’t have access to high quality, affordable and reliable child care, they’re not going to go to work,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber.

Another possible growth area for the manufacturing industry is in retired Missourians. One suggestion is to bring on people who aren’t ready to completely stop working as part-time employees.

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