Future of Manufacturing Work: Who Is the Worker?

Today, the manufacturing industry is at a defining moment. It is facing a generational workforce shift and an accelerating wave of digital transformation, reshaping not only how we make things—but who makes them. Sounds silly right but hold on to your hats. There are a lot of winds on the horizon and the maker of the future just might be more human-like than human.

Let’s face it, the industry is grappling more than ever with a massive labor shortage. The numbers are staggering; manufacturers need to fill more than 2 million positions by 2030, and we’re already behind the proverbial eightball. Sadly, this isn’t just a talent gap, it’s a skills gap. We don’t just need more workers—we need the right workers: digitally fluent, safety-conscious, and ready to take on the factory of the future.

The challenge is too many experienced workers are ...