.png)
By Theresa Bontempo
In recent years, there have been various unprecedented changes in the manufacturing industry. The rise of this technology has led to the transformation of the traditional shop floor into a digital one. While innovations and efficiency can be expected, the skills gap remains an issue.
Many workers are not equipped to handle the various tasks and responsibilities associated with the use of advanced manufacturing technologies. This shortage of skills threatens the competitiveness of companies and could lead to job loss.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a vital component of the manufacturing industry's efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. It can help prevent costly errors and improve the quality of its products by analyzing and forecasting. As it matures, it can also be used in various applications such as predictive maintenance and supply chain management.
The rise of automation has led to the development of collaborative robots and advanced robotics that can perform repetitive tasks. With the help of AI, these systems can be more flexible and make the manufacturing process more efficient. The Internet of Things (IoT) is also helping manufacturers improve their connectivity. It allows them to monitor and manage their devices and equipment in real time.
Due to the ongoing skills gap, manufacturers are investing heavily in automation and training to address the issue. With digital tools and collaborative robots, workers can focus on more lucrative tasks that can improve their satisfaction and retention.
To protect their intellectual property and operations, manufacturers must bolster their data infrastructure. This is why they are investing in security measures and strategies to support their digital transformation.
How to Create an Effective Upskilling Program
Identifying the training areas that you want to focus on will help you create or expand a program. For instance, there might be a newmight a new technology that needs to be adopted company-wide that will require new skills. You also need to determine if there are changes in job roles or the automation of certain processes.
This can be done by tracking your company's needs and asking your employees to identify their skills that are needed to perform their duties. Although a learning management system might be beneficial, it's not enough to cover all of the skills that you want to develop in your employees.
Identify Training Source
Before you start implementing your initiatives, it's important that you identify the type of training that you want to provide. The most common type of training employees see is on-site or in-the-job training. This type of training allows employees to immediately apply new skills, and it can help them develop a stronger relationship with their supervisor.
Organizations also provide their employees with an online learning platform that can help them improve their skills. Although this type of training is less practical and immediate, it can still be beneficial. Employees can complete certifications and exams through the platform.
What are the Goals?
Unless you want to make your employees more productive and confident, you're not going to be able to effectively implement your training initiatives unless you teach them the skills that will help them improve their performance and make your company more profitable. Before you start implementing any training initiatives, it' s important that you identify your goals. For instance, if you want to improve the efficiency of your organization, you should establish a schedule that allows people to take AI training by a specific date.
After you have identified your goals, create a set of performance indicators that will help you track the effectiveness of the training. These should include completion rates and productivity metrics.
You should track your efforts using an ERP system, as it will allow you to see who is involved and how the program impacted your business. You can then use this data to determine what changes need to be made and how you can improve. In addition, you can gather feedback from the participants to get an idea of how the program is working.
Effective & Two-Way Communication
When things go wrong, managers and employees need to be able to communicate effectively to resolve issues. Many companies are now turning to UCaaS and call centers as their communication tools. These solutions allow employees and managers to keep in touch with each other and with the necessary personnel.
One way to improve communication on the factory floor is by giving new hires a training buddy. This individual will act as a guide to help them get through the onboarding process. New hires can greatly benefit from having a training buddy, as they can immediately become immersed in the culture of the company.
Providing employees with real-time company information helps them complete their tasks and improve their engagement with their coworkers. Implementing a mobile-first communication strategy that is focused on the frontlines can help ensure that workers have all the information they need.
When it comes to dealing with a crisis, mobile communication is vital. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, IRP Meat and Seafood utilized its app to communicate with its workers. Not only did it relay important information during the outbreak, it also helped facilitate the return of staff members who were on furlough.
Recognize & Value Employees
Being able to acknowledge the efforts of your employees in developing new skills is very important to maintain a positive work environment. It can help them develop their skills and keep them motivated.
Acknowledgement can help employees feel valued and supported, which can increase their satisfaction and morale. It can also encourage them to become more receptive to learning and contribute to the improvement of the company's service quality.
Having a positive work environment can help employees feel valued and supported, which can increase their satisfaction and morale. It can also help them develop their skills and improve their performance. One of the most important factors that a company can consider when it comes to investing in the development of its workforce is the establishment of a career development plan.
Companies can improve their workforce's resilience and agility overall by emphasizing learning and curiosity, which allows them to adapt to changes and overcome challenges more effectively.
Keeping Consistent and Standardized Training
Training consistency goes beyond simply delivering lectures on a given day, which truly involves providing knowledge and skills that directly relate to an employee's job duties and responsibilities. There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to implementing this type of training, such as the type of technology utilized, the geographical requirements, and more.
Before implementing this type of training, it's important that the employees are identified and trained on the skills they need to excel in their respective job roles. Regardless of the structure of the training program, it's important that the experiences and skills of the participants are tracked in one central location. This helps managers identify areas of their staff knowledge that they can improve.
One of the most important steps that a company can take to ensure that its training programs are consistent is by establishing a standard set of materials and processes. This ensures that employees are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties.
It also ensures that those who are evaluating the work experience of employees are qualified to do so. By having a structured training program, workers can be more agile when moving to new locations. Leaders can be more confident that their employees are competent and capable of performing their duties consistently and safely.
A lack of consistency in the training process can lead to various outcomes, such as an increase in the number of safety incidents or a higher cost due to the repetitive nature of the training. This issue can also affect the bottom line of an organization. Training programs that are not consistent can prevent employees from performing their duties.
Importance of Data Integrity
Maintaining data integrity is a process that ensures that information is accurate and consistent throughout an organization. In certain industries, such as the pharmaceutical sector, it is important that data integrity meets ALCOA standards.
One of the most important records an organization must keep track of is workforce competency insights. Having the correct reports on these data can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. Conversely, if the workforce skills data is inaccurate, poorly trained individuals may be placed on production lines, resulting in under-development or superfluous training, a spike in costly errors, and heightened safety risks.
In addition to having the correct data, manufacturing companies also face various issues related to data availability, standardization, and data cleanliness. As the industry continues to expand, it is more important that organizations have the necessary tools and resources to keep track of their workforce's capabilities and skills.
Workforce data integration utilizing a system that integrates with HRIS, scheduling, and LMS facilitates synchronization across the organization. This ensures that the information is regularly updated, empowering leaders with the necessary insight to make better decisions. Image courtesy of AIHR.
Skills Management is Essential
Workforce management is a vital component of any organization's operations in the manufacturing sector. It enables them to assess and manage their employees' skills and capabilities to meet their workforce needs. It also helps them develop resilient and efficient operations.
With the help of skills management, leaders can monitor the current capabilities and training of their workforce to ensure that they're able to adapt to changes in the market and maintain their operations. This information can then be used to make more informed decisions regarding hiring and training programs.
Regardless of the future changes that may happen in the manufacturing industry, skills management helps companies plan for their workforce and ensure that they're equipped to meet the needs of their customers. It can also help them reskill their employees to meet the evolving needs of their industry.
The Future of Upskilling Manufacturing Staff with Shift
The manufacturing industry is expected to transform into a digital system that relies on data analysis. Workforce training is needed to remain resilient and competitive. Traditional roles are being redefined due to the standardization of smart technologies and automation, and workers will have to adapt to new roles that present both challenges and opportunities.
Investments in workforce development can help organizations achieve improved productivity and innovation, as well as reduce turnover rates. Workers who continuously improve their skills will remain valuable and important in a constantly changing world. Workforce training must also align with the industry's technological advancements to ensure that the manufacturing sector remains sustainable.
The ability to distribute training updates, announcements, and communication across the factory floor is facilitated by shift's digital displays. This eliminates the need for manual communication with non-desk staff members, who may not have access to internal memos or emails.
Keeping training materials, safety protocols, and process updates visible throughout the day helps Shift integrate learning into daily operations. This eliminates the need to conduct one-off training sessions and enables continuous learning, which is necessary to keep up with the rapid technological change brought about by the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and robotics.
Through the integration of data systems, Shift can show real-time performance metrics. This data can be utilized to identify skill gaps and gauge training progress, facilitating targeted upskilling initiatives.
.png)
