January 19, 2024 Upskilling Technologists to Bridge the Skills Gap

Addressing the growing shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing requires upskilling technologists through emerging technologies.

By Ben Yu, Managing Partner at Sierra Ventures

In the United States, there is a growing gap between the demand for skilled workers and the available talent pool within the manufacturing sector. A recent Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute study projects a potential shortfall of 2.1 million jobs by 2030, presenting a challenge and a looming crisis. If unaddressed, the implications extend far beyond mere numbers, with an estimated $1 trillion loss in economic productivity by the same year.

The key to tackling this challenge lies in upskilling technologists, who are the driving force behind the future of manufacturing. Embracing emerging technologies is no longer a choice, but a necessity, and adopting cutting-edge tools is crucial. Technologists must learn how to use tools like digital twins and AI that drive digitization of the factory floor and learn about new tools like 3D printing that are driving just-in-time or additive manufacturing.

Specifically, these innovations offer a glimpse into the future, improving operations, optimizing efficiency, and streamlining production processes and can help close the skills gap in manufacturing:

Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is a vital component of Generative AI (GenAI). It entails creating effective inputs for AI systems to optimize manufacturing processes, enhance quality control, predict maintenance, streamline supply chains, enable customization, and promote sustainability. Mastery of prompt engineering empowers technologists to harness the full potential of GenAI, fostering innovative problem-solving and design thinking in manufacturing, and enabling the development of AI-driven solutions for a more efficient and competitive industry.

Digital Manufacturing & Robotic Functionalities

Digital manufacturing encompasses various technologies and practices to enhance manufacturing operations’ efficiency, productivity, and flexibility. The sector is expected to grow significantly between 2023 and 2030. In 2022, the global digital manufacturing market was valued at $387.65 billion and is expected to reach $456 billion in 2023.

One area that is gaining excitement is the no-code solutions for robotics software. Traditional robot programming is fragmented and expensive, often requiring extensive training and expertise due to robot manufacturers’ use of proprietary languages. Tools like Augmentus aim to disrupt the industrial robotics software market, projected to reach $47 billion by 2030, by offering a no-code, vision-based robotics system.

With advancements in computer vision overcoming historical programming challenges, robots become more versatile and adaptable. By leveraging robotics, technologists can augment human capabilities, creating a win-win scenario where humans focus on higher-level tasks while robots handle repetitive or physically demanding jobs. This synergy enhances productivity and opens doors for upskilling the workforce. Embracing robotics enables technologists to become facilitators of innovation, paving the way for a more agile, efficient, and skilled workforce prepared for the future of manufacturing.

Additive Manufacturing Methodologies

Although adoption and progress have been slow, we are starting to see huge jumps in the overall effectiveness of additive manufacturing methodologies like 3D printing. Technologists who embrace these technologies contribute to their advancement and unlock their potential in driving just-in-time manufacturing paradigms. Additive manufacturing reimagines the very nature of manufacturing by offering customization, rapid prototyping, reduced waste, and the ability to create intricate geometries that were previously unattainable through conventional means (subtractive manufacturing), while necessitating a diverse skill set encompassing design thinking, material science, and digital expertise.

AI Analytics

By integrating AI analytics into manufacturing processes, technologists gain the ability to harness data-driven insights, optimize operations and foresee potential bottlenecks or opportunities for enhancement. AI analytics equip individuals with the capability to understand, interpret, and leverage complex datasets, a skill set becoming increasingly crucial in modern manufacturing environments. Moreover, by utilizing AI analytics, technologists facilitate a more streamlined and agile production flow, allowing quicker adaptation to market demands. Embracing this technology enhances individual skill sets and reinforces the manufacturing industry’s resilience, ensuring its competitiveness in the global landscape.

Bridging the Gap

The urgency to bridge this skills gap demands cooperative efforts from individuals, educational institutions, and industry leaders. Continuous learning and adaptive skill development programs tailored to the ever-changing demands of the manufacturing industry are essential. Partnerships between academia and industry can open doors to curriculums that offer hands-on experience with emerging tech, preparing the next generation of technologists to thrive.

Promoting knowledge sharing within the manufacturing industry is also important in closing the gap. There is a growing need for corporations to adapt the knowledge-sharing process among employees. Tools like DeepHow capture real-time technical expertise and enable training and oversight on the manufacturing floor. Creating collaboration and cross-functional learning platforms among technologists promotes ideation, experimentation, and the seamless integration of technological advancements into daily operations.

It’s clear that addressing the skills gap in the manufacturing sector demands a concerted effort from technologists, educational institutions, and industry leaders. Upskilling through emerging technologies is a critical step. However, the path forward isn’t just about acquiring new skills—it’s about a mindset shift, a commitment to continuous learning, and an unwavering dedication to driving the industry forward.

About the Author
Ben Yu is Managing Partner at Sierra Ventures and has been with the firm since 2000. Ben is an engineer and inventor by background. He is passionate about emerging sectors and breakthrough ideas. His investment philosophy is finding early-stage companies with great technologies that can truly make a difference and helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into market leaders.

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