Despite the common dystopian narrative that technology minimizes or even eliminates human value, the truth is that technological innovations are profoundly impacting the way we work. We’ve seen this throughout history, from the printing press and the cotton gin to cloud computing and virtual and augmented reality.
The reality of technological advancement reflects an ebb and flow of interdependent elements in our society as a whole. Intelligent technology, such as that used in modern manufacturing facilities, does not diminish human value – it enhances it.
In the short term, smart technology will help manufacturing professionals work more efficiently and leverage data-driven intelligence. In the long term, workers with an innate understanding of these smart technologies will be in high demand. That’s why upskilling and reskilling will be the bridge that connects today’s reality with tomorrow’s potential.
Intelligent technology improves team efficiency, reduces errors associated with manual processes, and provides real-time, contextual insights into every stage of production. For example, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) enable the collection and analysis of data in real time, displayed in a digital, user-friendly interface. No longer relying on guesswork, MES lets shop floor workers know exactly how each machine and process is working and whether anything needs their attention.
Intelligent technology requires advanced skills
As the use of smart technologies becomes more ubiquitous in industry, every professional who knows how to operate, maintain or repair them becomes more and more valuable. And the more we use these technologies, the more they become a partner to us rather than a tool. This evolution is likely several years away, but it is important that manufacturers are aware of their increasing dependence on skilled professionals with expertise in IoT, robotics and software development. By thinking strategically now, manufacturers can set themselves up for long-term technological success.
To achieve this goal, they must invest significant resources and attention in the training of their employees.
The path to success through further training
It’s true that some smart technology takes on the workload of human workers – especially those who primarily perform administrative or repetitive tasks. But these workers are valuable nonetheless. They have extensive institutional knowledge and are often the ones with the deepest understanding of the facility, the business, its processes and its customers. There’s no reason why their expertise can’t be transferred to new roles – especially if that role involves working with the technology that took over their previous tasks.
To achieve a smooth digital transformation and reassure employees that they are valuable to the company, manufacturing leaders must prioritize training and engaging their employees.
Training will probably not be a perfect process and there will certainly be some obstacles. But the more open leaders are and create a culture of learning, the more successful their teams will be at learning new topics.
What do manufacturers gain from upskilling? They gain highly skilled, trustworthy employees with a clear loyalty to the site, the integrity of its products and its continued success.
