February 27, 2026
Turnover doesn't just hurt morale—it slows everything down. In fact, staffing shortages can reduce a facility's capacity by up to 20%. That's not just numbers on a spreadsheet. That's missed shipments, late nights, and worn-down teams.
I remember a machine shop I visited outside Dayton—not a big place, but they had good people. Trouble was, they couldn't keep them. Training took too long, and newer folks felt like they were always playing catch-up. That stress led to burnout. And burnout led to exits.
How Smart Manufacturing IT Solutions Support Workforce Training and Retention
That changed when they brought in digital training kiosks.
These weren't anything fancy—just a few rugged screens with simple tutorials,
safety walkthroughs, and troubleshooting guides. But they made a big
difference. New hires could get answers fast. Experienced folks could refresh
their memory without asking for help. And suddenly, people weren't
quitting—they were staying.
In six months, their turnover dropped by 15%. Production
climbed. More important? The floor felt steadier. Fewer fire drills. More
confidence. Less whispering about who's quitting next.
Julie Davis from The Manufacturing Institute summed it up
well: "Workers stay where they feel confident and supported. Tech makes that
possible."
Here's the key: it wasn't the tool alone. It was the system
around it. They had strong, secure IT in place. Their network was stable, their
access controlled, and their support team was ready if anything glitched.
That's what made the kiosks more than screens—they became part of the culture.
That's why I tell folks: don't start with the gadget. Start
with your foundation. Because if your IT is solid, you can build tools that
actually stick. Tools that help people feel ready for the work ahead. Tools
that show your team you're investing in their success.
And when folks feel that? They stay. They train others. They
become the backbone you've been trying to build.
If you're tired of the revolving door—and the overtime it
causes—there are simple steps you can take. Start with one tool. One
improvement. But make sure it's built on a foundation you trust.
You don't have to do it alone. We help plants just like
yours put the right IT pieces in place so your people can thrive, not just
survive.
Interested in a conversation about IT for
Manufacturing? Call us or
email us here
