Give Thanks For The Team You Already Have and Train Them To Be Better
Retention Begins with Appreciation
and Grows Through Training
This time of year naturally pushes us to reflect on who makes our success possible. In manufacturing and skilled trades, that answer is simple. It is the people who show up every day, run the machines, pour the metal, keep the schedules moving, and solve problems on the fly. Your current employees are the heart of your operation. They carry the knowledge, the experience, and the culture that hold everything together.
Yet many companies spend more time searching for new talent than developing the people who are already loyal to them. Not only does that overlook the potential already inside the building, but it also creates a financial burden that few businesses can afford. According to McKinsey & Company, the average cost to replace a full-time employee is $52,000 when you factor in recruiting, hiring, training, lost productivity, and exit costs. When someone walks out the door, the disruption is real and the price tag is steep.
What’s striking is that $52,000 is far more than what it costs to invest in the people you already employ. Training programs, continuing education, workshops, conferences, and certifications all cost a fraction of that amount. Investing in your current workforce is not only smarter financially, but it is also a meaningful way to show employees that you value their contributions and want them to grow.
Most employees want to learn. They want to feel supported and trusted. When a company invests in training and professional development, it creates an environment where people feel appreciated and motivated to perform at a higher level. Productivity improves, teamwork strengthens, and the quality of work becomes more consistent. Employees who are learning and growing are far more likely to stay, which creates stability throughout the entire operation.
This is exactly where the Talent Pipeline Program fits into the story. The mission of the Talent Pipeline Program is straightforward and incredibly important: to give employers the tools to recruit, hire, and retain skilled employees more effectively, ensuring the Navy has the workforce it needs for decades to come. But beyond the national mission, the program helps each employer improve their own people systems. TPP coaches employers on how to strengthen hiring practices, improve retention strategies, and build the kind of workplace where employees feel valued and supported.
Being part of the Talent Pipeline Program sends a clear message. It shows your company is committed to building a stronger and more stable workforce. It tells your employees that you care enough about their future to invest in better systems, better training, and better opportunities for them to succeed. It demonstrates leadership and vision rather than just reacting to short-term staffing challenges.
For NFFS members, the connection is even more direct. By participating in TPP, members gain access to training resources, implementation support, and practical coaching tailored to the realities of metalcasting and Navy-aligned industries. NFFS staff serve as network coaches who work directly with your management team to help bring TPP strategies to life inside your foundry. The result is a more capable workforce, stronger retention, improved onboarding, and a steadier pipeline of talent ready to grow with your business.
As you give thanks this season, take a moment to acknowledge your employees for their hard work and dedication. Then take a meaningful next step. Show your appreciation by investing in their growth. Support their development. Give them opportunities to learn, attend trainings, go to conferences, and strengthen their skills. It costs far less to develop the employees you have than to replace them, and it creates a workplace where people want to stay.
Saying thank you is important. Showing it through action is even more powerful. And joining the Talent Pipeline Program is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate that commitment.