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The manufacturing industry has seen rapid growth in recent years. Employment reached 13 million as of January, and the number of manufacturing establishments in the US saw an 11% boost between 2019 and 2023, reaching 393,000. Based on a recent report from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, manufacturers may be in need of 3.8 million new workers by 2033 at this pace.

Unfortunately, an estimated 1.9 million of these roles could go unfilled considering the current labor shortage.

Today, researchers have found a 75% jump in demand for simulation and simulation software skills to enable technology-enabled production or testing roles in the manufacturing industry. The report states that these technical roles are likely to grow the fastest between 2022 and 2032 as manufacturing companies aim to leverage the adoption of newer connected devices, equipment, and systems. By upskilling employees, manufacturing companies can better motivate and retain employees to expect more consistent and productive operations.

Fortunately, innovations in digital technologies can help make upskilling more accessible to companies and employees alike. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the different resources you can use to promote upskilling among manufacturing employees:

Digital training tools

Adopting digital training innovations is one of the best ways to help employees train and upskill. Today, some manufacturing companies use virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) to facilitate virtual training for employees. This is a great way to train new and existing employees while saving on resources and without needing specialized locations to accommodate training.

For example, a University of Cincinnati doctoral student Shaleish Padalkar developed virtual and augmented reality technologies to create a three-dimensional virtual world where employees can be trained for semiconductor or microchip manufacturing. The VR simulator was designed from scratch using Siemens NX 3D modeling software and the Unreal Engine, a popular software for video games like Fortnite. UC has used a combination of both simulation and in-person instruction in an 8,000-square-foot “clean room” to train students in the basics of microchip manufacturing as part of a partnership with 15 colleges and universities called the Ohio Southwest Alliance on Semiconductors and Integrated Scalable Manufacturing.

Manufacturing audiobooks

Aside from proactive employee training, companies can also provide access to resources like audiobooks. Audiobooks have become a popular means of consuming reading materials. Audiobooks allow passive and on-the-go learning for employee training, making them a great resource to combine with other learning or training materials. Audiobooks are also great for multitasking, letting employees access training materials even when they aren’t in the workplace.

Thanks to the growing popularity of audiobooks, they have become increasingly accessible. Leading digital platform Everand has technology and engineering audiobooks that feature hundreds of titles from expert and qualified professionals in the industry. This includes Rob Reich’s “System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot” and other books on different subjects like the future of innovation in fields like construction. These listens can be an insightful and holistic approach to manufacturing, providing a broader and often in-depth view into shifts in the manufacturing industry. If you’ve found that certain audiobooks resonate with employees, it can help to provide access to the book or eBook versions of these for more detailed reading and learning when dealing with new concepts.

Mentorship and apprenticeship programs

Another crucial resource for promoting upskilling in manufacturing is to initiate mentorship and apprenticeship programs. In our “6 Tactics to Attracting Gen Z to the Manufacturing Workforce” post, we highlighted the importance of outlining a career path of growth, development, mentorship, and training to help attract younger and newer talent in the industry. This outline lets employees see how they can grow and develop within the company.

Establishing mentorships and apprenticeships throughout the workplace allows employees to get much-needed guidance and insights from experts and professionals in the company. This lets employees develop practical skills through hands-on training, allowing them to hone their technical abilities and learn how and where to apply them for a successful career in manufacturing. Mentors are also a great resource for support and encouragement, and a good mentor-mentee relationship can create a more open learning environment where employees can thrive as they continue to improve their skills while fostering a solid work ethic.

Personalized training programs

When considering upskilling opportunities and initiatives for employees, it’s important not to settle for one-size-fits-all solutions. This is where artificial intelligence comes in. AI-based training programs offer a more cost-effective, scalable, and customizable approach to upskilling. According to a report from the eLearning Industry, companies embracing AI-powered learning reduced overall training costs by up to 35% while simultaneously improving learning outcomes, something they were able to achieve because the emerging technology’s ability to personalize lessons helped enhance employee engagement by up to 60%.

Today, AI-powered training programs are often used alongside connected worker technologies to help transform workplaces in supply chains and manufacturing organizations. These tools are used to analyze large amounts of employee and operational data to create personalized learning experiences from hiring and onboarding to continuous training as well as worker engagement and retention. It’s important to realize that each employee is different and will adapt to situations and new concepts differently. So, instead of relying on one-size-fits-all training programs, relying on AI to tailor instructions based on different individual needs, learning styles, and job roles can help provide employees with the training, upskilling, and motivation to succeed they need to excel in the field.

Ultimately, it’s important that companies adopt the latest technologies and combine them with existing systems to meet the shifting needs of manufacturing employees. Whether using virtual reality and artificial intelligence or through the help of mentorships and audiobooks, there is an abundance of resources available for companies and employees to instill a culture of constant growth and development. As explained in our introduction, the manufacturing industry will continue to grow in future years.

As more companies aim to minimize the skills and labor gap, employers and employees alike need to invest in continuous upskilling. Constantly upskilling in manufacturing ensures that employees are well-equipped to learn and use new technologies set to disrupt the industry.

*This article is written by Rose James. Rose is a freelance writer with a decade of experience writing about new developments in business and finance, as well as on new technologies like AI and automation.

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