Episode 22

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Published on:

12th May 2025

Recruiting Puerto Rican Talent for U.S. Manufacturing with Clay Martin

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In this insightful episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, Lisa Ryan chats with Clay Martin, founder of Isla Talent, to discuss innovative solutions for manufacturing workforce shortages by recruiting top-tier blue-collar talent from Puerto Rico—no visas, no red tape. Clay shares his journey from the Peace Corps to entrepreneurial success and dives deep into the motivations, processes, and key considerations for American manufacturers looking to tap into the Puerto Rican labor market.

Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Solving Manufacturing Labor Shortages with Puerto Rican Talent

Clay Martin highlights the unique advantages of recruiting Puerto Rican workers for manufacturing roles in the U.S. Labor shortages have hit the sector hard. Puerto Rico presents a highly motivated, skilled workforce ready to relocate with minimal legal barriers.

2. Visa-Free, Hassle-Free Recruitment

A game-changing benefit: Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, so recruiting from the island involves no visa requirements or immigration red tape. Manufacturers can onboard 10–20 employees within 2–4 weeks.

3. Attracting Puerto Rican Workers—The Economic Motivator

Clay underscores how the significant pay gap between Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. (manufacturing wages can be double on the mainland) incentivizes many Puerto Ricans to seek opportunities Stateside. Economic instability and past events like Hurricane Maria have further fueled this migration.

4. Best-Fit Industries & In-Demand Skills

Puerto Rican workers excel across various manufacturing sectors—food and beverage, metalwork, skilled trades like welding, carpentry, warehouse operations, and electrical work. Their flexibility and diverse skill sets make them an asset to various industries.

5. Building Trust, Not Just Filling Jobs

Recruitment success depends on relationship building, cultural understanding, and word-of-mouth reputation. Clay’s process includes on-site presence in Puerto Rico, culturally competent staff, and job fairs to foster trust.

6. Navigating Language & Onboarding Challenges

While many recruits speak conversational English, around 20–30% are fluent, and nearly all can get by with translation apps (aided by tools like Google Translate and DeepL). Customized onboarding, clear communication on pay and deductions (including tax differences), and thorough orientation sessions lead to better retention.

7. Practical Rollout & Retention Strategies

Successful placement involves coordinated logistics: furnished housing, transportation, transparent payroll deductions, and robust support post-placement. Retention incentives (e.g., bonuses after 4–6 months, wage increases, or unique perks like sports tickets) foster long-term commitment.

8. Pitfalls to Avoid

DIY recruiting can backfire without cultural sensitivity or adequate planning. Common mistakes include poor-quality housing, skipping proper training, or rushing the onboarding process in pursuit of production numbers.

Lessons Learned

  • Patience and Flexibility pay dividends when integrating talent from new regions or backgrounds. Thorough onboarding and cultural support are critical.
  • Transparency is Key: Clear communication about pay, taxes, and expectations helps avoid misunderstandings.
  • Retention Incentives Matter: Creative bonuses and recognition encourage loyalty and reduce turnover, whether for Puerto Rican recruits or any workforce segment.
  • Cultural Understanding Drives Success: Respectfully navigating regional differences and language barriers ensures a smoother transition for both recruits and employers.

Fun Facts & Noteworthy Insights

  • No Visa Required: One of the biggest misconceptions—Puerto Rican workers ARE U.S. citizens. No visa is required, yet many companies wrongly assume otherwise.
  • Surprising Weather Adjustments: Recruits from tropical Puerto Rico have landed in snowy Michigan or Cleveland winters in just T-shirts—now, checklists and pre-move guidance include cold-weather prep!
  • Diverse Motivations: Some workers seek long-term relocation, while others are “seasonal nomads,” returning to Puerto Rico during the off-season and returning for work.
  • Word-of-Mouth Power: After over a decade in the field, much of Isla Talent’s recruiting happens through personal referrals and reputation in Puerto Rican communities.
  • Technology is a Bridge, Not a Barrier: With modern translation tech, language is rarely a dealbreaker for effective manufacturing work.

Connect with Clay Martin

Final Thoughts

Clay Martin’s approach reveals that looking beyond traditional hiring pools—and understanding the unique strengths and needs of Puerto Rican workers—can offer sustainable solutions to chronic labor shortages in U.S. manufacturing. If your company seeks reliable, skilled, and motivated employees, consider broadening your recruitment horizons and embracing cultural onboarding best practices.

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About the Podcast

The Manufacturers' Network
Connecting Manufacturers with Manufacturers
The Manufacturers' Podcast is THE place for manufacturers to connect with and learn from other manufacturers. Not only will listeners get to learn from their manufacturing colleagues, but they will also discover HOW they can help each other as a resource or as a source of help and inspiration.

As a manufacturer, it's easy to get pigeon-holed into only focusing on your own industry, whether it be through your industry trade association or your industry colleagues. While trade associations are an excellent source of information for their members, sometimes it's gaining a perspective from someone else in a completely different industry that gives you the solution to your dilemma.

Stay tuned for new episodes every week on "Manufacturing Monday's." This drive-time length podcast will give you the information, tips and strategies you need to get your week off to a fantastic start.

About your host

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Lisa Ryan

As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), an award-winning speaker and author of ten books, Lisa Ryan, CSP, works with her clients to develop employee and client engagement initiatives and strategies that keep their top talent and best clients from becoming someone else’s.
Lisa’s expertise includes: strengthening workplace culture, improving employee engagement, increasing customer retention, and initiating gratitude strategies (“Grategies”) for personal and professional benefit. Lisa’s participants enjoy her high energy, enthusiastic delivery and quick wit and they leave the session with ideas they are committed to acting on immediately to make positive workplace culture changes.
Lisa costars in two films with other experts including Jack Canfield of “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” She is the Past-President of the National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter and holds an MBA from Cleveland State University.

Relevant Experience

• Keynote, breakout or workshop speaker at more than 100 national and international conferences
• Thirteen years of industrial marketing and sales experience, including seven years in the welding industry – and yes, she does weld
• Host of “Elevate Your Engagement Levels: What You Need to Know” on the Elite Expert Network and the C-Suite Network
• Creator of “The Seven Mistakes Managers Make to Crush Company Culture” video series
• Best-selling author of ten books, including “Manufacturing Engagement: 98 Proven Strategies to Attract and Retain Your Industry’s Top Talent”
• Award-winning speaker