In an increasingly competitive global market, the Australian manufacturing sector is embracing new technology in order to thrive.
Companies are investing in automation technologies, including robotics and AI, to achieve greater efficiencies and meet the demand for higher production, while keeping costs down.
The integration of new technologies does, at times, raise concerns from employees, who may fear they’ll be replaced by robots or automation. But, Hazel Stewart, director of Innovate Learn, believes this is a common misconception.
“The Harvard Business Review puts is best: technology does not purge the need for human labour, but rather changes the type of labour required. Autonomous does not mean human-less,” Stewart said.
“The change to new technology actually brings a wide range of new employment opportunities.”
She points to the findings of the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Future of Jobs Report, which estimate that by 2025, advanced technologies will lead to the creation of at least 12 million new jobs.
It predicted increased demand for jobs such as data and machine learning specialists, but also very human-driven professions, including digital marketing specialists and business development professionals.
And, while these findings are encouraging, more likely, they will do little to assuage to concerns of manufacturing employees who may not be equipped with these skills.
The question for manufacturers now becomes, how to embrace advanced manufacturing without leaving employees feeling vulnerable or alienated?
For the transition to advanced manufacturing to be successful, Stewart said it is essential that employees are educated about the new technology, as well as its benefits and goals.
Stewart believes they need to see the clear advantage for both the company and themselves.
“The majority of employees want to see the organisation they work for succeed, and they understand that sometimes change is necessary in order for the company to remain competitive,” Stewart said.
“It’s not that employees are resistant to change, but rather that they need clarity on how the change stands to benefit them on both an organisational and an individual level.
“It’s important that employees feel that their contributions are a valued part of the overall initiative.”
Collaboration over competition
A great point of departure in a change management initiative is to highlight the benefits afforded by automation and new technology.
“Automation offers manufacturers a host of benefits – it will increase productivity, improve worker safety and efficiency, and reduce errors,” Stewart explained.
“Pertinently, it can reduce the burden on employees by allowing them to channel their energy and creativity into corners of the business where a human perspective is invaluable.”
According to James McKew, regional director APAC for Universal Robots, robots enhance the workplace for employees by taking on dull, dangerous and repetitive jobs.
“The argument that robots will take jobs from humans is an argument we regularly encounter, yet robotic automation has many advantages for the workforce,” said McKew.
“Collaborative robots are freeing up people to do more meaningful and fulfilling tasks, and Universal Robots has seen this repeatedly with our customers across the globe. Robotic automation is known to create new job titles and job opportunities within a business.”
Universal also pointed out that the automation of manufacturing tasks may facilitate the re-allocation of labour costs, enabling companies to invest in the professional development of employees.
This will in turn create a good opportunity to upskill personnel, equipping them with the capabilities and knowledge they will need to thrive in an altered workplace.
Also highlighted is that an unexpected, but major benefit of automation is that it is reinvigorating the manufacturing sector by making it more attractive to young candidates, as the implementation of robotics, programming and automation software in the manufacturing environment, presents an exciting pathway into a sector that may otherwise have limited appeal.
Advanced manufacturing requires a broad range of skills
Technical proficiencies will be in high demand as advanced manufacturing becomes more prevalent.
Yet other, more abstract skills will be required by future-thinking manufacturing businesses that wish to thrive. For Stewart, these in-demand skills are:
- Learning agility: in a rapidly changing environment where new technologies are constantly coming to the fore, employees must embrace an attitude of continuous learning. Curiosity and a learning mindset are essential, and employees are encouraged to seek out training that will enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Collaboration: creativity and innovation thrive when ideas are shared. The ability to work effectively with others is a skill that will always be in demand in any workplace.
- Critical thinking: the ability to think critically, strategise and change course with agility, is the most crucial advantage that humans have over robots.
- Communication: another often underrated advantage we have as individuals is our ability to communicate with one another. Sharpening of written and verbal communication skills will increase efficiencies, improve working relationships, and improve the output.
- Problem-solving: this is a skill that strengthens with practice and brings significant value to an organisation, creating new opportunities for success.
According to Stewart, all these are skills that can be developed and honed through employee development programs.
Having collaborated with some of Australia’s leading manufacturers in the roll-out of skills training, she noted that investment in these programs is a significant factor in maintaining employee engagement and satisfaction.
“Change is inevitable, but once teams see new technologies for the opportunities and advantages they present, they can focus on strengthening their uniquely human capabilities,” Steward concluded.
“These capabilities will always be in demand in the fourth industrial revolution and beyond – no matter how many robots are working alongside us.”
