Future of Work in Manufacturing Part 2: Technological Impact and Upskilling
Technology is transforming manufacturing, from AI for materials forecasting to IoT on the factory floor. Investing in new technologies boosts efficiency, cuts costs, and speeds up value delivery. Companies must modernize operations and equip employees with the necessary skills to keep pace with these technologies.
Modernization Perceptions Drop by 9% Among Workers
Only 39% of manufacturing workers rated their workplace as "very modern" in 2024, a significant drop from 48% in 2023. Similarly, the percentage of managers who viewed their workplace as "very modern" fell from 58% in 2023 to 52% in 2024. This decline suggests that despite ongoing technological investments, many employees perceive their workplaces as lagging in modernization. Key technologies like AI, robotics, and data analytics are widely recognized, but there's a clear disparity between leadership and worker perceptions of their implementation and impact.
Very Modern
49% of workers and 65% of managers in 2024 reporting higher investment levels
Investment in new technology is on the rise, with 49% of workers and 65% of managers in 2024 reporting higher investment levels, reflecting a 4% and 10% increase respectively from 2023. This positive trend highlights a growing commitment to modernization. However, a gap remains, with 16% more managers than workers recognizing these investments, likely due to the closer involvement of management in decision-making. Bridging this perception gap is crucial for aligning modernization efforts across all levels of the organization.
Invest In Tech More Than Ever
Upskilling Prioritization Increases 14% Among Managers
In 2024, 91% of manufacturing managers prioritized upskilling, marking a significant 14% increase from 2023. However, only 70% of workers felt upskilling was a priority, a 10% decrease from the previous year. This gap suggests that while leadership is focused on enhancing skills for new technologies, these initiatives may not be effectively communicated or implemented at the worker level. Bridging this disconnect is essential for fully leveraging technological advancements and ensuring that all employees are prepared for evolving manufacturing roles.
Prioritizing Upskilling
Future of Work in Manufacturing
Get actionable insights for manufacturing leaders aiming to adapt to evolving industry demands while prioritizing sustainability and skill development to maintain competitiveness in a dynamic market.
Kerrie Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer at Epicor, leads the global go-to-market efforts, bringing together her deep product innovation and strategic marketing experience to drive brand growth and customer engagement across the make, move, and sell industry communities.