The Crucial Connection Between Talent and Technology in Addressing the Workforce Challenge

The battle against the manufacturing talent gap in the United States is set to be won through a strategic combination of technology and talent development. As Baby Boomers retire, taking valuable skills and knowledge with them, the industry faces a shortage of workers with the necessary skills to fill the gap. This challenge can be addressed by either automation to address the numbers gap, or reskilling employees to bridge the skills gap.

Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer at SME, believes that the key lies in combining technology and talent. By adopting technologies such as automation, companies can create new job opportunities while also upskilling their workforce to adapt to the changing landscape of the manufacturing industry. For example, SmithCo, a company in Iowa, implemented automation in their welding process to address skilled worker shortages, without displacing existing employees.

In addition to automation, companies can also utilize technology to assist front-line workers in optimizing their tasks and increasing productivity. Augmentir, a tech startup, offers a connected worker platform called Augie, which helps workers with troubleshooting, language barriers, and provides guidance to improve quality and efficiency.

Overall, the solution to the manufacturing talent gap lies in leveraging both technology and talent development. By empowering employees to offer solutions and upskilling them to adapt to new technologies, American industry can pave the way for increased competitiveness and productivity in the future.

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