The Importance of Bringing Together Talent and Technology to Address Workforce Challenges

A winning strategy in the fight against the structural manufacturing talent gap involves the intelligent combination of technology and human workers. According to Jeannine Kunz from SME, this approach has the potential to address challenges caused by the aging workforce and the lack of skilled replacements.

Scott Slovell from SmithCo in Iowa exemplified this strategy by implementing automated welding to overcome skilled worker shortages. The company experienced substantial growth but struggled to find enough workers. By utilizing robots for repetitive tasks, the workforce was freed up to focus on higher-level responsibilities. The company ensured job security for employees by promising that automation would not result in job losses.

Additionally, technology such as Augie, a connected worker platform, is assisting frontline workers by digitizing and optimizing key tasks. The platform uses AI to provide support, guidance, and training to workers, ultimately increasing productivity and quality.

Ultimately, the integration of technology and human workers offers a long-term solution to the workforce challenge in manufacturing. By involving workers in finding solutions and ensuring their job security, companies can benefit from the productivity and competitiveness gains associated with this approach. This shift towards a more technologically advanced and skilled workforce has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry in the United States and drive growth and innovation.

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