# Finding Manufacturing’s Invisible Workforce w/ Simba Jonga

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2025-12-16
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-f9c306aa-79e0-489e-8f4a-4e196925c81c

## Summary

Simba Jonga, founder and CEO of Laborup, explains how his AI-powered platform addresses the manufacturing labor gap by making the 'invisible' blue-collar workforce searchable through voice-based AI screening rather than traditional resumes. He argues that the shortage is a liquidity issue, where skilled workers like machinists and welders are hidden because they lack digital profiles or computer access. Jonga details how Laborup uses conversational AI to build rich candidate profiles and discusses the industry's shift toward hiring 'hybrid technicians' with blended skills to solve immediate staffing shortages.

## Chapters

- [0:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=35) Introduction: Simba Jonga and Laborup
- [4:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=299) The Liquidity Problem in Manufacturing Hiring
- [6:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=386) AI Voice Screening vs. Traditional Resumes
- [9:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=587) How the AI Conversation Works
- [12:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=731) Building a Searchable Database for Industrial Talent
- [13:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=830) Regional Expansion and Industrial Hubs
- [17:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=1074) The Rise of the Hybrid Technician
- [21:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-16-finding-manufacturings-invisible-workforce-w-simba-jonga#t=1302) Driving Technology Adoption in Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Laborup (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Zillow (company)
- LinkedIn (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Andro (company)
- ICC International (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [219: How Skillwork Is Like Travel Nursing for Manufacturing Talent Featuring Brett Elliott and Tim Raglin of Skillwork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-01-14-219-how-skillwork-is-like-travel-nursing-for-manufacturing-talent-featuring-bret) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [How an On-Demand Labor Platform is Solving the Labor Shortage with Veryable’s Noah Labhart](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-02-24-how-an-on-demand-labor-platform-is-solving-the-labor-shortage-with-veryables-noa) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [193: Discussing the Skills Gap over a Beer: Live from Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI (Powered by SwipeGuide)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-07-09-193-discussing-the-skills-gap-over-a-beer-live-from-founders-brewing-in-grand-ra) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [How Skills Matchmaking Technology Fills Critical Manufacturing Jobs with FactoryFix.com's Patrick O'Rahilly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-04-13-how-skills-matchmaking-technology-fills-critical-manufacturing-jobs-with-factory) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS - IPC President and CEO John Mitchell on Talent Shortages at APEX 2023 - EMSNOW & SCOOP On Location](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-02-02-bonus-ipc-president-and-ceo-john-mitchell-on-talent-shortages-at-apex-2023-emsno) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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