The nadir sparked calls for more wholehearted support from government to attract candidates into the sector.
An overwhelming 88% of sites reported a skills problem in the survey of 95 senior site decision makers.
The figures mark a 6% rise on last year and 13% on 2013.
Experienced engineers and skilled shopfloor positions are the hardest to fill according to the People and Productivity report, in association with Festo.
Around 25% of businesses suffer frequent downtime because of chronic skills shortages, the report found.
So prolonged is manufacturing's skills problem, that 42% believe the crisis will last forever.
Greater government support is key to alleviating skills problem said those who did see an end in sight. More than 80% said a more sweeping public commitment to UK manufacturing from Whitehall could be instrumental.
Nearly 60% called for tax incentives to boost recruitment of apprentices to help them overcome the skills gap.
Despite extensive accounts of skills shortages, the survey also found thriving productivity levels among those workers already in place.
Look out for a full report of the People & Productivity report in WM's July/August issue.
