Automation does not rhyme with a decline in the importance of skilled workers. In fact, it is quite the opposite because automation is a way to empower employees in their work and get the most out of them. Automation includes robots, AI, and machinery. One thing we need to inscribe in our minds is that no matter how advanced automation or robots are, we made it and not the other way around. So, automation will never take over human jobs.

But, the bitter truth these days is that labor is hard to find. One of the most basic requirements at the inception of any industry is labor. There is a considerable decrease in the skilled labor force throughout the globe. So it becomes a necessity for manufacturing industries to retain the labor they have and utilize these people for productive tasks rather than repetitive tasks. This is where real-time production monitoring comes into play.

Importance of Labor

As we saw above, labor is an integral part of any industry. But in recent years, there has been a significant drop in skilled labor for the manufacturing industry. Even though automation is becoming a priority, skilled labor is still needed to work with robots and help increase productivity. When automation gets involved, it brings its own problems. Skilled laborers are required to work alongside robots and machines, maintain them, monitor them, do the designing work, quality inspection, and so on. This creates a balance between automation and skilled labor.

The benefits of having skilled labor in any industry are:

  • Maximizing productivity

  • Bringing in problem-solving abilities

  • Saving money on the long term

  • Strengthening growth, by quality results

  • Improving work relationships

  • Shortening maintenance time

  • Having the flexibility to adjust as per the requirements

  • Doing brainstorming tasks

In Canada itself, as per a report by Canadian manufacturers and exporters (CME), 85% of manufacturers face a shortage of skilled labor, which can cause growth to slow down.

The various challenges industries face due to the shortage of skilled labor are:

  • Decreased quality of work

  • Slows down the competing ability of an industry

  • Inability to meet the clients’ demand

  • Decline of productivity

  • Increased operation costs

  • Slower production rates

Therefore, a smart business development plan needs to be used in industries to guide them towards smart solutions. This solution puts forth skilled workers working hand in hand with automation. This way, all the repetitive and laborious tasks can be automated while leaving the brainstorming and problem-solving tasks to the workforce. Real-time production monitoring is an apt example of one such method.

Real-time production monitoring

Real-time production monitoring helps industries gain the maximum out of labor time by automating small tasks and helping workers quickly take notice of any faults in the production. It can help employees in tasks listed below and many more:

  • Data entry

  • Generating various production reports

  • Fault monitoring in real-time

  • Maintaining history

  • Cross verification of data and information

  • Detecting bottlenecks in the production

  • Detecting where labor is required

  • Improving overall productivity

  • Giving laborers an in-depth analysis of faults

A real-time production monitoring system will help its industry utilize its labor time smartly. There are various options available in the market, one being Clariprod.

Labor and Real-time production monitoring complete each other

Labor is used for brainstorming and problem-solving scenarios. Real-time production monitoring takes away repetitive and tiresome tasks. This balances the overall work environment in an industry, by helping laborers focus more and come up with better ideas and solutions for the benefit of their industry and its productivity.

Thus, after all, though labor and real-time production monitoring are poles apart in the system, they still complement and complete each other. The time of smart industries and smart development is now. Industries need to adopt automation along with the right amount of skilled labor to survive their competition. When automation like real-time production monitoring grants industries speed, accuracy, and efficiency, smart skilled labor helps them face problems with a better perspective. Skilled labor helps industries acclimatize to automation with ease. Both these factors put together allow industries to face their market with full potential to succeed.

References

  • a. group, “The Benefits of Having a Skilled Workforce,” Advance group, 14 11 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.advancedgroupservices.com.au/the-benefits-of-having-a-skilled-workforce

  • S. Insurance, “The impact of the skilled labour shortage,” Sovereign Insurance, 28 06 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.sovereigninsurance.ca/advice-and-tools/hot-topics/the-impact-of-the-skilled-labour-shortage

  • C. manufacturing, “How the Skills Gap Could Affect Your Manufacturing Business,” CPV manufacturing, 28 06 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.cpvmfg.com/news/how-the-skills-gap-could-affect-your-manufacturing-business/

By Published On: July 9, 2021