Manufacturing is changing.
We’re seeing a greater reliance on technology, the integration of AI, closer management of supply chains, engineering upskilling, and so much more.
There are a lot of factors to take into account to not only remain competitive but also to grow and build a sustainable future.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology also acknowledges these changes as they report that, although confidence in current capabilities is high, the manufacturing sector is still concerned over critical skill shortages – both technical and sustainability skills.
The solution?
There is now a clear focus on building the right teams.
Multi-functional teams that help to meet the ongoing requirements of manufacturing as well as manage new and innovative solutions.
Manufacturing sector – present
The manufacturing sector is a strong industry that has and continues to tap into digital to maintain its competitive edge and keep the sector moving at pace.
However, manufacturing engineers continue to grapple with significant skills gaps in certain specialist areas; labour shortages persist across all sectors, including manufacturing, and, as reports show, we are facing an ageing workforce.
The ageing workforce is a particular area of concern that many businesses are now working to manage, as we see highlighted in the ECITB Workforce Census in 2024, a large proportion of the workforce is set to retire, with 38% of employees over 50.
Combine this with the ongoing labour shortages, and we have a recipe for disaster that risks both competitiveness and growth.
There is now a growing need to modernise this ageing infrastructure and also enhance critical process systems with the integration of automation.
Benefits of building multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Upskilling boosts resilience, efficiency, and long-term capability
- Multidisciplinary teams can provide more opportunities
- Supports energy efficiency, operational resilience, and sustainability
- Makes better use of resources, saving time and money
- Employees feel empowered as they acquire new skills in data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and more
- Innovation becomes a higher priority in order to secure future growth
- AI and automation help boost productivity and agility.
How to build stronger engineering teams for modern manufacturing
Offer upskilling programmes
Open up opportunities in-house to upskill, train, and learn more. Not only does this motivate employees and provide them with further prospects, but it also creates a sustainable workforce for the future as you develop the skills you need in-house.
Introducing this type of cross-disciplinary training allows people to expand their existing skill set and allows you as a business to develop and enhance the skills that help create agility and adaptability in people, to the ever-changing environment.
By deepening skills and knowledge in different areas, not only do you build a robust and reliable workforce, but you also strengthen your capabilities and competitiveness, two key areas in manufacturing that cannot be underestimated.
Make learning part of everyday operations
As well as providing additional upskilling programmes and training, make sure that continuous improvement is built into values and workplace practices.
Every day we can all learn something, know a better, more efficient, and effective way of carrying out a task, and listen to others to understand things from a different perspective.
And this is key: by making an inclusive and open workforce, you open yourself up to more innovative solutions, driving productivity and agility.
Combine technical expertise with digital skills
Automation and AI in manufacturing are significant, and only getting bigger. With more investment than ever before in automated systems, the manufacturing sector must invest in digital training to provide engineers with the opportunity to use their technical skills and ability alongside automation to manage traditional manufacturing, moving to more modern processes.
Technology is not replacing people; technology needs the right people with the right skillset to maximise what it is capable of, and this is where training and upskilling in automation and development come in.
Integrating the right automated systems into manufacturing processes. It isn’t about reinventing the wheel but rather making changes that allow operations to run more smoothly.
(Make sure to check out our automation design and build services for further information.)
Look to apprenticeships
Apprenticeships within engineering and key roles within manufacturing still remain significant and a popular option for businesses and learners to gain the valuable skills and experience needed to enter the workforce.
Businesses should tap into and recruit for both adult and youth apprenticeships, offering opportunities to help build the sector, playing their part in closing the skills gap, and taking advantage of the government incentives surrounding apprenticeships.
Innomech UK
Engineering upskilling matters more than ever because the world in which we live is not standing still.
To remain competitive, meet sustainability targets, and maintain operational resilience, manufacturers must evolve alongside modern manufacturing demands. Embracing new technologies and smarter processes will be key to sustainable business growth.
The good news is that the team at Innomech is on hand to support that evolution. Through bespoke automation solutions and expert consultancy, we help manufacturers integrate advanced automated processes while ensuring existing teams are confident and capable in operating them.
Explore our consultancy services today and see how we can help you modernise operations and bring your workforce along with you.
Offering bespoke automation solutions for modern manufacturing, explore our consultancy services today and see how we can help you.
