What Does the Future of Manufacturing Look Like?

Disruption has been the name of the game for the manufacturing sector in recent years. Distribution, supply chains, and operations have all been disrupted by the impact of Covid-19, whether that be due to shortages or even spikes in demand for vital products. Now that the dust has settled for those in manufacturing careers, what does the future of manufacturing look like?

Greater automation and digitization

Manufacturers are increasingly integrating more automation and digitization as part of their processes today. This is likely to become even more of a priority, as the industry looks to strategize scalable growth plans for a post-pandemic world. As companies look to incorporate more automation, they will also need to look for the candidates that possess the skills needed to manage it, which could mean an even narrower candidate pool for them to choose from.

Bringing more jobs home

Interrupted supply chains and ongoing consequences from the impact of the global pandemic have led many manufacturing businesses to look at moving operations to their home country. Depending on where a person is based, this could mean either the loss or creation of manufacturing jobs.

A more diverse and inclusive workforce

There has been a significant shift towards more diverse and inclusive hiring practices that are intended to create better-balanced workforces. This has spurred much more of a focus on behavior as opposed to just performance when it comes to the recruitment process. The focus on diversity and inclusion also means that training in these areas is an ongoing process for many enterprises, resetting decades-old attitudes, and creating space for new generations to enter a workplace in which they feel comfortable.

The use of social intelligence in the hiring process

Given the increased focus on behavior when it comes to developing candidates and recruiting for roles, it’s perhaps no surprise that many organizations have begun to look for new ways to screen people. Social intelligence is increasingly being used as a supplement for hiring practices where the focus is more on a candidate’s character than purely looking at past performance. Candidates in manufacturing careers need to be aware that social media accounts and platforms provide plenty of insights into behaviors, especially those that could be problematic in a team setting. This type of hiring approach is likely to remain as the quality of teams continues to be prioritized.

After a turbulent couple of years, manufacturing is changing. From changes in workforce composition to the increasing use of technology, these will be some of the defining features in manufacturing careers going forward.