Pointers at Glance
- The manufacturing industry has always been known for its constant push to innovate and stay ahead of the curve.
- With the rapid technological advancements, companies must embrace job-enabling technologies and digital transformation to remain competitive.
- However, despite the benefits, many organizations still rely on outdated pen-and-paper methods, making it challenging to address the industry’s biggest challenges.
Digital transformation presents countless opportunities for manufacturing and skilled trades to become more productive, safe, and competitive.
Implementing job-enabling technology can help improve accuracy, efficiency, and safety, making digital transformation an increasingly important aspect of the workplace. A recent NFPA survey found that 68% of skilled workers want to work with different, non-traditional tools on the job site, highlighting the appetite for digital adoption. Organizations must invest in the newest technology to streamline daily tasks, empowering employees of all ages and experience levels to be as efficient and accurate as possible.
Collaboration is one of the most significant use cases for digital transformation in manufacturing. Forty percent of skilled workers believe the biggest opportunity for technology to improve their day-to-day work on the job site is the ease of communication between team members.
Biggest Challenges In Manufacturing Industry
Labor shortages and employee turnover are two of the manufacturing industry’s biggest challenges. In the face of these challenges, digital-first training models offer both value and accessibility. The flexibility of online training means that employees can take courses at their own pace, reducing stress and allowing for better information retention.
Digital tools also provide a centralized repository of institutional knowledge, which is important to retain generational knowledge amid mass retirements. This wisdom learned through experience, including mistakes made and lessons learned, often can’t be found in a textbook.
Digital transformation empowers organizations to ensure that knowledge doesn’t leave the institution when employees retire, and that future generations are set up for professional development and success.
