For the industrial sector, the employment crisis is taking the form of a severe labor shortage. While the industrial economy had been impacted severely by pandemic-induced lockdowns, today, it has recovered to 40% above its lowest point.
The pandemic also underscored the strategic importance of the industrial sector. Organizations are now increasing investments in automation, augmenting digital infrastructure, and streamlining supply chains to meet rising customer demands and driving sector growth.
These changes are driving the future growth of the industrial segment. This new environment needs a workforce that is eager to work in a high-tech environment. For the millennials and Gen Z, the opportunities in this sector are endless.
Skills Shortage
While manufacturing companies are growing, the primary worker demographic is reaching retirement age. Currently, this area does not have enough young workers waiting in the job market to replace them.
Studies estimate that unless this situation changes, manufacturing could be looking at 4.8 million unfilled positions by 2028. And at the current pace of hiring, we are looking at a labor shortfall that could put a massive revenue dent in this sector.
With millennials becoming the dominant workforce across industries, it becomes imperative to win them and the other younger generations over. Forging a high-tech image and using advanced tech in this space can be a powerful catalyst to boost interest.
Image Shift
The age-old image of dark, dirty, and unsafe manufacturing spaces is outdated and incorrect. These spaces are now powered by increased automation and new, cutting-edge tech. It is estimated that 47% of today’s jobs will be gone in the future, including 20% of assembler jobs in manufacturing. These jobs are likely to transition into roles that will be tech-forward.
It’s imperative to present this new image of manufacturing to the potential workforce. Humans working alongside robots and a large network of interconnected devices and sensors are not a thing of the future. These are already present in the current manufacturing workplace.
Talent Development
Providing a technology-powered work environment also aids the reskilling and upskilling needs of the workforce.
Given the nuances of the manufacturing sector, embedding technology across the workplace also helps to showcase investment in talent development as job functions evolve to meet the needs of Industry 4.0.
Human Resources Augmentation
Technology infusion in the manufacturing environment also changes the workplace.
Human capital is used to augment outcomes and make the existing talent more effective. In addition, automation and advanced technologies (such as robotics, IoT, etc.) can act as force multipliers.
Productivity and Enhanced Safety
Advancing technology in manufacturing has changed the way work happens. Powerful technology solutions make working environments safer than ever before. These solutions also power worker productivity so people can complete their tasks in the most effective way.
Offering advanced technology solutions at the workplace for situational awareness and to improve emergency response contribute immensely to worker safety.
Advanced technology solutions such as lockouts/tag-outs, with real-time location service (RTLS) technology, geofences, zone marking, and controlling access also help the workers feel that the organization is invested in their safety. Other solutions such as proximity detection systems, lone worker safety, and solutions to monitor their physiological conditions in real-time show investment in worker safety.
The competition to secure the best talent is accelerating in the manufacturing sector. Technology may be the silver bullet to not only increase productivity and efficiency on the shop floor but also act as a powerful tool to attract and retain the right talent.
About Guardhat
Guardhat is pioneering end-to-end connected worker safety solutions for industrial workers. We offer cutting-edge, wearable technology; a proprietary connected worker platform – unrivaled in its ability to ingest, manage and analyze unstructured data; easy to deploy monitoring and reporting software; and a growing ecosystem of partner integrations.
Guardhat enables companies to monitor worker location, health, and work environment to shorten reaction time and help proactively solve safety challenges. We hold 15 patents in real-time location systems, wearable solution design, and connected worker software. If you are interested in our connected safety solutions – including situational awareness, environmental and biometric monitoring, multi-modal communication, RTLS, Covid-19, and advanced technology solutions – contact us to arrange a demo.
