How will manufacturing welcome the class of 2038?

With school out for the summer I continue to see signs on elementary school buildings welcoming the class of 2038. OK, that makes me feel old. Along with feeling old also come thoughts about what manufacturing will look like then – as I know how it’s changed since I first entered the world of manufacturing.

In the 1990s there was a growing focus on improving productivity through increased interest in automation, implementation of quality management systems, and software advancements – with high-speed, multi-tasking, and 5-axis machining making waves. And, I can’t forget about the Variax from Gidding and Lewis, the first industrial parallel milling machine presented in 1994 at IMTS.

As we entered a new century, a range of automation systems became more prominent on shop floors of all sizes to increase production. Lean manufacturing became a common theme for efficiency and waste reduction while on-demand manufacturing to customer needs also grew in prominence. There was also a significant rise in interest in how additive manufacturing (AM) could fit within manufacturing for customization – especially in patient-specific implants. Additionally, AM was being increasingly used for cost-effective prototyping throughout the design of a product.

By the 2010s the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) started to change the industry in ways not seen since the introduction of CNCs. IIoT’s connection of industrial devices, such as machines, sensors, and systems to collect and share data, further improved productivity, efficiency, and decision-making in industrial settings. Adding to these manufacturing advancements was the use of data analytics and machine learning (ML) that’s not only used to optimize processes but also to predict machine failure before it occurs for preventative maintenance purposes.

For the decade we’re in now, IIoT enabling manufacturing’s digitization continues to grow in use. Today’s manufacturing facilities are smart factories, embracing even more advanced robotics (think cobots) along with artificial intelligence (AI) and the consolidation of efficient tools and systems for increased productivity.

So, what skills and knowledge do the class of 2038 need to support American manufacturing? A whitepaper from EY with contributions from the Manufacturing Institute, “How manufacturers should invest beyond adaptive skills to build tomorrow’s workforce,” suggests addressing the talent gap in the manufacturing industry requires organizations to make developing next-generation skills a strategic priority. The authors note any business and manufacturing organizations that emphasize adaptive skills development are more likely to unlock a competitive advantage and directly addressing the manufacturing skills gap.

By the time the class of 2038 is ready to enter the workforce manufacturing will look different from today but will still be in need of an educated and skilled workforce to enter the industry. And, as the EY whitepaper notes, “next-generation manufacturing skills are the culmination of adaptive, digital, technical and process-related competencies.” Hopefully the class of 2038 will be ready.