MxD scans the landscape of technologies and trends fueling manufacturing’s ongoing digital transformation in a new series of stories. The series explores: What’s here? What’s coming? And what’s the impact? This article centers on manufacturing’s image and how instead of being seen as a dynamic, high-tech, and growing industry, manufacturing is often viewed as dull, low tech, and labor intensive.
In short, manufacturing has a public relations problem.
“Despite changes in manufacturing, the sector still does not evoke a positive image in the minds of many Americans,” said Lizabeth Stuck, Vice President of Government and MxD Learn. “Many still consider it a dirty and dangerous career with limited opportunities for growth and development.”
This “PR problem” matters, Stuck added, because it’s stopping many people from considering a career in manufacturing. That’s at the same time there are expected to be more than 2 million manufacturing jobs open in the United States by the end of the decade due to a skills shortage.
“Without being able to attract a skilled workforce, manufacturers cannot produce, and the United States will see an even bigger drop in its manufacturing competitiveness globally,” she said.
Here’s more from Stuck on the challenge and what can be done:
What’s the problem?
The manufacturing industry faces a complicated challenge, Stuck said.
“Manufacturers find themselves unable to fill roles that are currently open,” she said. “At the same time, the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector continues to lag behind other nations that are utilizing cutting-edge technologies — with a skilled workforce to match — to increase their productivity and output.”
U.S. manufacturers can neither address their immediate workforce needs, nor can they think about technology adoption and the skill sets necessary for implementation of these technologies, she said.
What are the biggest hurdles?
“Employees want to see pathways for growth and development, but manufacturers are often uncertain and unclear about what those opportunities can be for their employees,” Stuck said. “As a result, recruitment into the manufacturing profession continues to be a near-term and long-term challenge.”
How far apart are perception and reality?
“It varies,” Stuck added. “In some cases, there is a significant gap. There are manufacturers in the United States who see the opportunities digital technologies can provide and the need for cybersecurity protections, and are implementing solutions and building a skilled workforce. But there are also manufacturers who do not yet see the opportunities digital technologies can play in their facilities and do not support the development of skills and training for their workforce.”
What can be done?
Addressing the U.S. manufacturing workforce and PR challenges will take a comprehensive approach that brings all players — manufacturers, workers, educators, economic development program leaders, and community officials — to the table, Stuck said.
That means getting the word out about the innovation taking place in the industry and promoting expansion of that innovation.
“Organizations across the country are working together to find ways to encourage technology adoption and skills development in manufacturing. But we cannot continue to employ the processes that have been traditionally used,” Stuck said. “Technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that it is unreasonable to expect a worker to learn everything they need to know. Learning must be continuous and accessible. It must be supported and encouraged by employers. Academics must find flexible ways to develop and disseminate educational resources.”
What is MxD doing to help manufacturers with this?
“MxD recognizes the need for this type of learning environment and has deployed a Virtual Training Center (VTC),” Stuck said. “The tool — a virtual learning platform — supports educational organizations and employers in their pursuit of digital technology and cybersecurity for manufacturing learning.”
“The VTC,” she added, “hosts a library of content that can be customized to support an individual learner’s career pathway.”
MxD’s Virtual Training Center is designed to empower and strengthen the manufacturing workforce. Learn more.
