In this era of rapidly evolving technology and an ongoing manufacturing “skills gap” leaving hundreds of thousands of manufacturing positions open across the country, there’s one question that everyone involved with career and technical education (CTE) should be asking: am I teaching the advanced skills manufacturers so desperately need?
Smart Manufacturing Training is More Important than Ever
Today, manufacturers are rapidly incorporating a wide variety of new advanced automation technologies that are transforming the way they do business. The technological revolution known as Industry 4.0, Smart Automation, or the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is helping manufacturers to thrive even as they face mounting workforce challenges.
If you work in manufacturing, it’s likely that you’ve seen the word “smart” being added to various parts of your workplace. Utilizing advanced automation technologies, such as smart sensors, robots, and automated guided vehicles, many manufacturing facilities now consider themselves “smart factories.”
Unfortunately, the supply of workers with the advanced skills to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair these advanced automation systems isn’t keeping up with demand. Today’s manufacturers simply cannot find enough highly-skilled workers to fill the hundreds of thousands of open positions in manufacturing across the nation, a problem commonly known as the “skills gap.”
To solve this problem, two things need to happen. First, manufacturers need to upskill current workers to work alongside the advanced technologies that are being implemented. Second, manufacturers must collaborate with local educational institutions to encourage them to teach the advanced skills tomorrow’s workers will need to succeed in a smart factory environment.
A Critical Investment
Today’s CTE professionals know the struggle of aligning the skills they’re teaching with the needs of industry, particularly local manufacturers. Not only do they need to cover a lot of the basics, like electrical, electronics, hydraulics, and pneumatics, but now they must also try to wrap their minds around the need to teach a whole new set of advanced skills ushered in by Industry 4.0.
While it might seem like an issue for the future, Rockwell Automation’s 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report makes it clear that the time is now: “Industrial transformation is gaining momentum, with 56% of manufacturers piloting smart manufacturing, 20% using it at scale, and 20% planning future investments.”
Manufacturers need workers with these advanced skills now, not ten years down the line. CTE instructors must find a way to teach these skills sooner than later. But budgets are not unlimited and new technologies don’t tend to be cheap. Wrapping one’s arms around the breadth of Industry 4.0 might seem like a tall order.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a struggle if you partner with the training experts at Amatrol. While a manufacturer or a school might not be able to make the leap of embracing the depth and breadth of training provided by Amatrol’s Smart Factory and Smart Factory Enterprise systems, a journey begins with a single step and, in the case of Industry 4.0 training, that first small step can be taken by anyone.
Amatrol’s Smart Manufacturing Portable Trainer
In partnership with CESMII — The Smart Manufacturing Institute, Amatrol developed the Smart Manufacturing Learning System (990-SM10) to make smart manufacturing training more convenient than ever and accessible to all.
The 990-SM10 is an ideal training system for equipping individuals at all skill levels with the practical, hands-on skills they need to begin or advance their Smart Manufacturing journey, teaching them how to envision, develop, and sustain practical solutions using real-world, best-in-class smart manufacturing capabilities and methodologies.
For example, the 990-SM10 offers hands-on Industry 4.0 applications, such as wireless temperature monitoring; web-based condition and power monitoring; and wireless production counting.
It also provides critical hands-on experience with a variety of real-world industrial components workers will encounter on the job, including: BorgConnect Hub, BorgConnect Node, Ethernet switch-5-port, Allen-Bradley Micro820 Programmable Controller, AC current sensor, load cell/parts counter, and a Wi-Fi temperature sensor.
It does more than just basic training, though. Advanced skills are taught via wired and wireless sensors, OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) and MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT), a PLC, several types of edge gateways, and a variety of on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure and applications that facilitate both OT and IT-centric use case development and training.
Practically, the Smart Manufacturing Learning System features a stainless-steel panel design in a rugged, flameproof, and lockable ABS plastic case. It comes with roller wheels, a handle, and a pouch to store loose items, such as cables, components, and documentation – making it easy to transport, store, and use in multiple locations.
How can you help prepare students and current workers for the highly skilled jobs available today in smart manufacturing? Consult with an expert at Amatrol today to learn how you can take the first step toward teaching your students or current workers the skills that will set them up for success in the modern workplace.
About Duane Bolin
Duane Bolin is a former curriculum developer and education specialist. He is currently a Marketing Content Developer in the technical training solutions market.
