If you work in the manufacturing industry, or if you’re thinking about looking for a manufacturing job, you may be asking yourself an important question: how is automation going to change manufacturing?
Regardless of the changes that may come in the field of manufacturing, Liberty Staffing helps workers find great jobs within the industry. If you are looking for manufacturing work, we’re looking forward to helping find the right position for you. Contact us today for more information about jobs available in your area.
Automation is Affecting Countless Industries
The first thing you need to know is that manufacturing is not the only industry that is facing major changes due to automation. Automation is changing food services, health and medicine, agriculture, transportation, and even law enforcement.
Automation doesn’t necessarily mean replacing humans with robotic tools. It can also mean shifting workers to different kinds of jobs and incorporating automated tools into workers’ daily routines.
Manufacturing is definitely one of the industries that is most affected by automation. In fact, when most people think of automated tools, they probably think about the manufacturing industry first before any of those other areas where automation is utilized regularly.
Automation is Making Manufacturing Safer
Automation also means that humans are protected from some of the more dangerous aspects of the workplace; when automated technologies can do dangerous tasks, human workers are safe and protected.
Employers are constantly trying to make their workplaces safer, and national regulations exist to protect workers from hazardous conditions.
When automated technology tools can perform dangerous tasks, workers are safer at their jobs. Even though there may be some difficult adjustments as tasks shift from human-performed to automated, one of the undoubted benefits is that manufacturing professionals will end up taking fewer risks in the workplace to perform their job responsibilities.
Automation is Increasing the Need for Tech Support Jobs at Manufacturing Facilities
Because automated tools require a lot of tech support, there will continue to be an increased need for workers to operate, maintain, and service these tools.
Many people only think about machinists, assembly line technicians, forklift operators, and other hands-on machine-related jobs. A more modern view of manufacturing should also include computer programmers, software developers, technologists, and engineers.
Automation Means That Manufacturing Workers Need More Soft Skills
Another way that automation is going to change your experience as a manufacturing worker? You need to develop more soft skills.
Soft skills are skills associated with communicating with others, adapting to new situations, being a critical thinker, and working as part of a team. Even though a job description for a position at a factory might have been really focused on specific technical skills in the past, today’s job requirements are more likely to include these soft skills.
You may be wondering, how has automation increased the need for soft skills?
Automation is creating major changes in the day-to-day operations of many factories. Those changes can happen quickly too, and workers don’t always have weeks or months to prepare. Employers want to hire people who can adapt quickly to these changes, and hiring someone with strong soft skills is a much safer bet than hiring someone who doesn’t work well with others or doesn’t adjust well to change.
This is good news if you’re someone who is just now wanting to get into manufacturing. Employers may be open to hiring someone who needs to be trained to do manufacturing tasks, as long as they can demonstrate excellent soft skills.
A Staffing Agency Can Help You Find a Manufacturing Job That Meets Your Skills
When you go through a staffing agency to find a job, you aren’t just applying to everything and seeing what works out. Instead, you get expert guidance to help determine which jobs fit your skills, experiences, and even workplace culture preferences.
Staffing agencies use their industry knowledge and professional connections to pair qualified workers with great workplaces.
Liberty Staffing works with manufacturers throughout Southern Ontario. We help people find jobs throughout the manufacturing industry. This includes full time and part time positions, as well as permanent and temporary jobs.
Ready to find a great job in manufacturing? Contact Liberty Staffing today to get started!
