The State of the Automation Workforce…

Rapidly Changing Technology, Cyber Threats, Under Staffed

To move forward effectively, watch the video to understand how we got here.

THE CHALLENGE IS KEEPING PACE

Hands-on tasks will always be essential, but the tools and techniques used are evolving. The future of technical work lies not in replacing technicians with robots and AI but in empowering these professionals to harness these technologies effectively.

Consider this:

  • Automation Integration: As automation and AI become more pervasive, technicians will need to seamlessly integrate these tools into their daily work, enhancing productivity and precision.

  • Upskilling Necessity: The ability to troubleshoot, program, and maintain complex automated systems will no longer be optional—it will be a baseline requirement for all technical roles.

  • Collaborative Work: The workforce of the future will collaborate with AI-driven systems and robots, necessitating new skills in AI management, data analytics, and advanced problem-solving.

The New Super Technician

The labor shortage and skill gaps, coupled with the widespread availability of productivity-enhancing technologies, are fundamentally transforming the nature of work.

Consider this:

  • 70% of business leaders surveyed report that their organizations are piloting automation technologies in one or more business units, up from 66% in 2020 and 57% in 2018 (McKinsey, 2024).

  • 58% of new jobs created by the growing need for semiconductors and reshoring are at risk of going unfilled, largely due to skill shortages (Intel, 2024).

  • 39% of these roles will involve technician positions that require specialized certificates or two-year degrees to operate advanced production and operational machinery (Intel, 2024).

Emerging Automation Strategies

Changing Workforce Demographics

Our workforce is aging, becoming more diverse, and gravitating towards different types of work. Many employers in critical infrastructure have struggled to attract younger workers at a rate sufficient to replace retirees.

Consider this:

  • The infrastructure workforce is predominantly aging and male. And has been largely overlooked.

  • The technical workforce is projected to grow twice as fast as the overall U.S. workforce in the next decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)..

  • Over the next decade, 17 million infrastructure workers are expected to permanently leave their jobs due to retirements, job transfers, and other labor market shifts (Brookings Institute, 2024).