Ingenjör4.0 hosted a webinar on 5th December 2023, titled Future Manufacturing Talent – Upskill Your Engineers in Deep Tech, attracting over 160 participants. The session delved into the critical significance of upskilling within manufacturing industries, particularly focusing on the escalating relevance of deep tech engineering competencies.
Addressing the Crucial Need for Upskilling
Johan Stahre, Professor of Production Systems at Chalmers University of Technology, highlighted the pressing need for upskilling in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Johan Stahre emphasized the increasing complexity of the world alongside the swift pace of technological advancements, necessitating a skilled workforce. With a shrinking population leading to demographic challenges and an impending scarcity of workers, Stahre underscored the inevitable difficulty and expense of hiring in the upcoming years. Highlighting the gender gap, he pointed out the lower representation of women in manufacturing compared to other sectors.
Insights on Bridging Skills Gaps for Future Manufacturing
Greta Braun, PhD Student at Division of Productions Systems at Chalmers University of Technology, shed light on the imperative to foster resilience in the workforce, particularly in the face of potential future pandemics. Braun emphasized the existing skill gap within the workforce, noting the contrast between the decreasing GDP of the EU and USA against the ascendant trajectory of China’s GDP. She stressed that while innovation remains a strength, directing more focus towards innovation could bolster the EU’s competitive edge in the global market.
Greta Braun concluded her presentation with following main takeaways:
- It is important for companies to understand what is happening in the industry. “We need to have a common understanding of what skills are needed.
- Do the skill gap analysis, for both employees and employers in order to implement the right efforts.
- Continue building to build partnerships and collaborations with universities. “We need to collaborate; we are stronger if we help each other” she concluded.
Insights from Global Technology Perspective
Elisabeth Svensson, the Global Head of Technology Academy at SKF Group, presented a compelling global view with a technology-centric perspective. Elisabeth Svensson delineated several overarching trends that are reshaping the industrial landscape:
- Global Trend 1: Technological Advancements:
- Emphasis on increased automation and smart manufacturing.
- The pervasive impact of artificial intelligence across all facets of SKF’s functions.
- Global Trend 2: Sustainability and Environmental Concerns:
- A growing focus on sustainability-driven initiatives and addressing environmental concerns.
- Global Trend 3: Digital Transformation:
- The proliferation of IoT, exemplified through SKF’s condition monitoring.
- Utilization of big data analysis and artificial intelligence for enhanced operations.
- Global Trend 4: Shift towards Electric Vehicles:
- A notable shift towards electric vehicles, driving changes within the automotive sector.
- Global Trend 5: Shifting Consumer Preferences:
- A discernible inclination towards sustainable products, driving market demands.
Magnus Wahlgård, Delivery Manager Future Factory at SKF Group then shared three life hacks for manufacturing transformation, including Pyramids & Layers, Boundaries & Limitations and Data & Standards.
Bengt-Göran Rosén, Professor at Halmstad University, finished the webinar with presenting how upskilling with Ingenjör4.0 is instrumental in navigating this evolving landscape, empowering engineers with the latest tools and expertise.
You find dates for the modules that are available during next year on Ingenjor40.se. Registration for spring 2024 is open
