A modernized workforce must learn new skills to keep up with a changing world. With the improvements in technology, robots are becoming an important part of the manufacturing process. However, employee skills need to keep pace, especially as automation and robots increasingly become part of the workplace.

Rather than relying on reskilling, training employees for new positions, upskilling typically relies on training employees to maintain the same or similar jobs they held. This upskilling provides the necessary training to transition today’s workers into the workers of tomorrow.

According to the World Economic Forum, automation is estimated to bring approximately 53 billion new jobs. About two-thirds of these jobs will be higher-skilled positions. This means that the workforce must also include many higher-skilled employees to fill these forecasted positions. In a manufacturing setting, robots can replace many dirty, dangerous or repetitive tasks while leaving employees to handle more skilled jobs.

Automation and the use of robots in manufacturing have come a long way, but it’s expected to grow dramatically over the next decade. Industrial robots can often outperform humans in repetitive or heavy lifting type jobs. However, many positions will still be available for workers willing to embrace this new technology and gain the necessary skills to keep them relevant in an evolving work environment.

As employees look to the future, it’s essential to recognize what skills will be in demand. Manufacturing will be turning to automation and industrial robotics, which will help increase productivity and lower costs for the company.

However, there will also be a greater need for employees in positions that require critical thinking or problem solving with these changes. Additionally, bringing robots into an industrial facility will mean skills such as robotic programming will be in high demand.

There has been concern about whether automation and robots will decrease the need for employees, but this has not been the case. In fact, employees willing to upskill and take advantage of training opportunities will likely be able to transition into a higher-skilled position within their company smoothly.

While robots might take some positions, these are typically not high skilled jobs. With these jobs being handled by robots, employers can focus on creating a higher skilled workforce that can help create new products, interact on a personal level with customers, or even maintain the robots in the facility.

Employers can help their employees prepare for the coming changes by offering training in various areas. For example, almost all employees will need to have at least a basic level of competency in using computers. Whether it’s working with computer-aided design to create new products or simply using digital technology in the daily automation process, these skills will be essential.

Troubleshooting will require thinking critically, and an ability to evolve with ever-changing technology will be an essential skill for any employee. Companies can offer incentives, such as higher wages and bonuses, to help encourage employees to embrace these new skills.

Acme’s goal is to be a partner with this transition to automation. We help train our customer’s team to fully understand the maintenance requirements their new robotic system. We also ensure our team is available for any troubleshooting and additional service visits as a customer needs. Recently our parts and service team has developed a new offering for machine maintenance that includes yearly technician visits team training sessions, and remote support to further aid our customers as they adopt new robotic technology.

Learn more about Acme’s service offers.