The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on several sectors, notwithstanding the manufacturing industry. The simultaneous supply and demand shock, coupled with shutdowns, have led to industry disruptions. Companies look forward to the top seven manufacturing job skills for the post-COVID era or the fourth industrial revolution to avoid any further profit decline to control the situation.
1. Digital Fluency or the Ability to Work with Computerized Systems
New technologies are increasingly penetrating the manufacturing and distribution environments, which creates a demand for professionals who are comfortable using computers and robotic process automation systems in this evolving technologies and manufacturing landscape.
Research has shown that approximately 16 percent of the currently employed American manufacturing workers have no digital skills, and 19 percent with limited skills. Thirty-six percent of the pool have a basic proficiency level. Only 29 percent have the required advanced manufacturing job skills to work with computerized systems, grossly inadequate. Such tasks typically require the use of both generic and specific technology applications. Source.
For example, a person may have to work with a newly designed online form. They may need to navigate multiple pages and applications where digital fluency becomes a necessary skill.
2. Big Data Analytics Manufacturing Job Skill
Another essential manufacturing job skill is data analysis to forecast and prevent problematic situations in advance. Manufacturers must know how to monitor the company’s functions and performance through data/predictive analytics. Hence, companies need the best possible solutions to overcome difficulties or minimize them.
The implementation of such analytics will address issues such as overproduction, idle time, logistics, and inventory. Manufacturers must therefore be able to forecast when equipment may fail to perform assigned tasks and take actions to prevent/reduce such occurrences. This is done via preventive maintenance applied to the equipment that is still working to lessen its failure. The process further reduces considerable delays and losses.
3. Programing of Manufacturing Specific Machines and Devices
High-end software solutions and technology have taken on the global manufacturing industry for its robust drive of economic growth and flexibility to adjust to supply chain interruption and change. Here, one’s expertise in programming manufacturing-specific machines and devices is an essential job skill.
Therefore, manufacturers must have a firm understanding of manual programming techniques if they intend to be relevant and competitive while operating at a profit. Programming methods such as the reduction in cycle time is of utmost importance. This is because as production quantities grow, every second of program execution time becomes critical. Manufacturers must therefore aim to meet production schedules while optimizing toolpaths relative to their models.
4. Manufacturing Job Skills in Robotics
Robotics will reinvent the way workers will operate post COVID within the manufacturing industry. Such robots navigate independently set up by using a dispatcher and software. Additionally, they can be customized to fit most applications.
This important manufacturing job skill in automation and robotics, when implemented correctly, can reduce the time required to process an average production order through the factory, leading to lower production lead times and bottlenecks. Therefore, old assembly lines will be a thing of the past as access to new production models with improved efficiency will gain momentum. Most importantly, automation will augment human labor in extreme or dangerous environments while ensuring high safety standards.
5. Experience in Machining, Fabricating, and Complex Assembly Manufacturing Job Skill
In the post-COVID-19 era, manufacturers must gain the requisite Manufacturing Job Skill in machining, fabricating, and complex assembly to take advantage of highly advanced automation processes so that mass production, in particular, can be done. This will optimize the general manufacturing processes associated with the cost reduction of product assembly and iterations. Essentially, this job skill will help reduce material, overhead, labor costs, and product development cycle time.
6. Understanding of Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Electrical Systems
A thorough understanding of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems is another critical manufacturing job skill necessary for the post-COVID-19 era. This is because manufacturers must identify the different characteristics associated with pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical circuits.
Manufacturers must know what drives can be controlled to very accurate positions, speeds, or forces and reduce noise levels in the machines while keeping them operating at maximum capacity.
7. Knowledge of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Processes
Mechanical and electrical engineering processes encompass manufacturing and repairing a diverse range of electrical and electronic products ranging from engines to mobile phones. Manufacturers in the post-COVID-19 era will be required to know about such Manufacturing Job Skills ranging from facility layout to machine & equipment optimization and resource development and cost reduction. This will, in turn, enable them to streamline production without compromising on quality.
The manufacturing industry is growing increasingly volatile and competitive. It is not only because of COVID-19 but also because new technologies such as 3D printing is set to have a transformative effect on this sector.
Conclusion
The post COVID world, by all estimates, will not be anything like today. The most significant change that the manufacturing industry may face will be a high dependence on technology. Companies, specifically related to manufacturing, will need to re-examine their policies and employees’ skill set. Manufacturers must be aware that if they haven’t started implementing IoT, they’re already behind their competitors since approximately 81% of industrial manufacturers have already applied IoT to increase operational efficiency.
At SkillDemand, we are ready to help you hire the best manufacturing professionals to accelerate your business growth. Contact us here.
