In the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing, a recent survey conducted by Visual Components sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. The hypothesis, centred around the persistence of outdated practices on the factory floor, underscores the need for a paradigm shift towards Industry 5.0. As the digital era ushers in innovative solutions, the key findings of the survey reveal a pressing issue: the talent gap.
The Talent Gap: A Major Challenge for UK and US Manufacturers
One striking revelation is that over a third of UK manufacturers (34%) consider hiring new talent as one of their major challenges. This sentiment is echoed by 42% of US manufacturers, emphasising a global issue of technology skills shortages. The survey indicates that 25% of the UK manufacturing workforce is expected to leave over the next five years, posing a critical problem for the industry. Alarmingly, more than half (53%) lack a solution to cope with the loss of knowledge when skilled professionals depart, reflecting a significant knowledge management gap.
Further complicating matters, a substantial portion of manufacturers (53%) has yet to establish relationships with educational institutions, hindering the creation of a talent pipeline. This failure to bring in new talent is exacerbated by the fact that almost a third (31%) of factory machinery is legacy equipment, potentially deterring the younger generation accustomed to digital solutions.
The survey also highlights a paradox: while 81% believe that their current solutions place workers at the centre of the production process, only 46% are actively training them in the use of new technologies. This gap between belief and action underscores the urgent need for upskilling initiatives in the manufacturing sector.
Upskilling: The Key to Industry 5.0 and Talent Attraction
Mikko Urho, CEO of Visual Components, emphasises the critical role of upskilling in addressing the skills shortage. He states, “The skills shortage has made it critical that manufacturers upskill current employees with supporting technologies to ensure that they sit at the centre of the production process in the age of Industry 5.0. Deployment of robots, alongside digital solutions such as Offline Robot Programming (OLP) and simulation software, can train employees in state-of-the-art solutions and also encourage new talent to join the sector.”
The survey results reveal the difficulties that the manufacturing industry encounters, especially in finding and keeping skilled workers. As Industry 5.0 beckons, it is imperative for Engineering Managers and HR professionals in the UK’s manufacturing sector to embrace innovative solutions to bridge the talent gap and propel their organisations into the digital era.
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