Automation is changing the landscape of manufacturing, and the skills and qualities that made an employee stand out 20 years ago are very different from what they are today. As automation continues to develop, employees have to adapt to these developments if they want to be prepared as job candidates. Many new jobs are being created by the advancements in automation, but there is a lack of skilled workers who are ready to fill these jobs.
In the past, manufacturing required quite a bit of unskilled labor in order to complete certain tasks. Automation has replaced the need for humans to perform these repetitive tasks by creating robots designed to do it for them. However, it has also replaced the need for this type of human labor and thus required laborers to develop new skills. The more robots there are performing these repetitive manufacturing tasks, the more of a need there is for skilled workers to help manage these robots.
The skills currently required for industrial automation workers are mostly related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These are just a few of the current most sought-after skills in automation:
- Programmable logic controller (PLC) and robot controller programming
- Electrical knowledge
- Soft skills
- Troubleshooting
Automation is a continually developing field, with new skills and qualities replacing older ones every day. As technology continues to grow, industrial cybersecurity is becoming more important than ever. The Automation Federation is developing competency models for cybersecurity and automation alongside the US Department of Labor.
Whether you’re currently working in the industrial automation industry or you’re a prospective job candidate, you need to understand the changing landscape of manufacturing. Automation has revolutionized manufacturing, and the most competitive candidates have current knowledge of the skills and qualities that manufacturers are looking for.