Manufacturing is undeniably rewarding, but it doesn't take long to realize that this industry is about people just as much as it is about machinery. After all, it’s the human touch that keeps those production lines humming.
The reality is that the average U.S. employee turnover rate has settled at 17.3%, down after a spike of 24.7% during the Great Resignation.
But let’s not celebrate too quickly. Turnover in manufacturing remains a costly affair.
According to the 2023 Retention Report by Work Institute, replacing an employee costs about 33% of their annual base salary. That’s a serious dent in the budget.
The good news? Employees aren’t quitting for the thrill of it—there are usually solvable issues at play. By addressing these, businesses can improve training and employee engagement.
Let’s discuss strategies to tackle turnover in manufacturing and create a workplace that your employees would love to stay at.
Why High Turnover Occurs in Manufacturing
Let’s break down some of the most common reasons why employees decide to leave manufacturing roles and the solutions to how to make training more engaging.
1. Lack of communication
Communication isn’t just a corporate buzzword; it’s a key factor in employee retention.
Unfortunately, poor communication—whether it’s between teams or from management—creates misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, and a lack of trust.
Transparency is a powerful antidote. Being open about your company’s pay scales, hiring practices, and overall structure shows employees they’re valued and respected. Also, it helps address how to make training more engaging for employees.
2. Limited employee appreciation
“Good job” goes a long way. No one enjoys working in an environment where their efforts go unnoticed, and manufacturing professionals are no exception.
Research indicates that employees who don’t feel recognized are twice as likely to quit.
Creating a culture of appreciation—where contributions are celebrated—can significantly boost training and employee engagement.
Digital signage makes this easy and impactful. Strategically placed screens can highlight individual and team accomplishments in real-time, from celebrating production milestones to recognizing employees with the most positive customer feedback.
These public displays of appreciation don’t just motivate the recognized employees—they inspire the entire workforce.
Also Read: 5 Essential Training Methods to Keep High-Churn Staff Engaged and Productive
3. Employee burnout
Manufacturing is a demanding industry. Long hours, intense workloads, and limited breaks can quickly push employees toward burnout.
Once that line is crossed, even the most skilled workers may start looking for jobs with better work-life balance.
Organizations that provide support through wellness programs, reasonable schedules, and mental health resources often see lower turnover rates.
“The more we retain our people, the less time we need to commit to recruiting new ones.” — Christine Thatcher, VP of Human Resources at TW Metals
4. Fewer opportunities for growth and development
It’s tough to stay committed to a role that feels like a dead end. Employees who see no room for advancement or skill development are far more likely to leave.
✅ Remember: These factors don’t just drive individuals away—they also affect the employees who stay. High turnover disrupts team dynamics, burdens remaining workers, and damages morale.
Incorporating training and employee engagement strategies can make a significant difference by creating clear pathways for growth. Let’s look into how we can achieve this.
Also Read: A Plant Manager's Guide To Training New Hires In 30 Days
Making Training Accessible with Visual Communication
The thing about digital signage is that it's always on, always relevant, and always delivering the right messages at the right time.
Its value is especially evident in manufacturing, where many employees don’t have access to desks, corporate computers, or company-issued devices. These deskless workers still require training and employee engagement initiatives, updates, and team-building messages to stay engaged and informed.
For them, digital signage simplifies complex information with visuals, animations, and infographics. It also provides a foundation for how to make virtual training more engaging.
Example: You can share step-by-step instructions displayed on screens across the factory floor. Processes that once seemed overwhelming become easy to follow, catering to employees of varying skill levels and breaking through language barriers.
And the benefits don’t stop there. Need to share a sudden policy change or announce updated production goals? Digital signage enables real-time updates, keeping everyone in the loop without disrupting workflows.
And, using multimedia like videos and animations, you also create a blueprint for how to make virtual training more engaging and avoid those awkward “Oops, I didn’t know” moments during performance reviews.
Also Read: How Digital Signage Keeps Cross-Shift and Cross-Department Safety Communication Clear
Improving Engagement Through Interactive Training
Traditional recognition efforts like birthday cards or gift cards are nice, but they rarely leave a lasting impression. Digital signage, on the other hand, helps you create a continuous culture of appreciation and motivation that resonates with employees.
So, what can it do? Digital signage gamifies the process.
This means leaderboards showcasing top performers, badges for milestones achieved, or progress trackers displayed on screens across the workspace. These elements encourage friendly competition, keeping employees motivated and excited to participate.
Pro Tip: An employee wall of fame, for example, is a fantastic way to say “thank you” to everyone who contributes to your team’s success. Whether it’s celebrating a big sales deal, recognizing long tenure, or highlighting stellar customer reviews, this public display of acknowledgment boosts morale and reinforces training and employee engagement.
Digital signage helps in another way: content.
Breaking down complex topics into digestible formats—using bullet points, visuals, or simple language—helps employees absorb information more effectively.
Adding quizzes or assessments keeps things engaging while giving organizations insight into employees’ understanding levels. Feedback loops, like surveys or comment sections, can further refine training programs by addressing specific needs and concerns.
Want to experience a difference in your team engagement? Book a demo today.
Enhancing Safety Training with Dynamic Content
By integrating real-life scenarios and constant reinforcement into your training program, you ensure employees stay informed and alert while reducing incidents on the floor.
And the best way to make sure that employees are watching is through digital signage.
This kind of visual content is a massive step up from static content found in instruction manuals or outdated PDF guides.
These then can be placed on screens as videos of safety drills or animations breaking down complex manufacturing procedures step-by-step. Suddenly, remembering the correct way to handle hazardous materials or respond to an emergency becomes a lot easier for workers.
Plus, employees absorb the information more effectively when it’s shown in an engaging, visual format rather than buried in a manual.
Pro Tip: Placement of your digital screens is as important as the messaging. Screens should be installed in high-traffic areas like break rooms, lobbies, or entrances where employees naturally gather. Some organizations even align screens with the natural flow of employee tasks, ensuring that workers interact with the content without feeling like it’s an extra chore.
Also, to keep employees engaged, the content needs to stay fresh. Regular updates prevent that dreaded “seen it before” mindset and keep employees paying attention. With digital signage’s real-time capabilities, you can share updates on safety protocols, highlight new hazards as they arise, and enhance training and employee engagement
Also Read: How Digital Signage Ensures Consistent Knowledge Transfer
Engage, Train, and Retain with L Squared
At the end of the day, engaging training programs in manufacturing, especially when enhanced by tools like digital signage, deliver significant benefits.
It also makes tracking progress effortless. Dashboards displayed on factory floors allow real-time monitoring of milestones, and regular updates keep employees informed and aligned with company goals.
The point is: investing in digital signage is investing in a forward-thinking culture; manufacturing companies can tackle high turnover head-on and retain their most valuable asset—their people.
And, when you have a trusted partner like L Squared, you get 17+ years of innovation and experience serving Fortune 500 brands.
L Squared provides the tools you need to keep your workplace efficient, safe, and engaged. The platform is user-friendly, easy to deploy and backed by responsive 24/5 live support to ensure your success.
So, what’s the next step? Contact L Squared today for better training and employee engagement!
