Changing Workforce (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
future employee look like, and how is technology going to attract a new employee?” he wonders. Hall sees the continued popularity of mechatronics — a multidisciplinary field that combines engineering, me- chanics, and computing to create and improve technology that incorporates artificial intelligence — as an indication of where manufacturing is heading. Future workers in manufacturing are going to be less specialized and more capable of performing multiple tasks on the shop floor. The next generation of manufacturing worker will have a much higher aptitude for technology, Hall says. And he stresses the importance of attention to detail.
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“How can we make sure that the tribal knowledge,” he ponders, “the information that we need to make our man- ufacturing processes run, to make the operation floor run, is still staying within the company?” The only way to ensure a healthy workforce for the fu- ture is by being proactive. In the Western Michigan region Hall calls home, two events are held each year to make certain students are made aware of all the possible paths available to them in manufacturing. “Between these two events, we bus in about 22,000 high school students and middle school students to meet with manufacturers,” he explained. “This is how we are creating outreach to our community. Students can learn what manufacturing is all about, the different types of jobs and careers that they can learn. It gives them the ability to see all these career opportunities, particularly if they do not want a four-year degree. They can open a dialogue with their parents about it. They get to meet with many different manufacturers, and in many cases they learn that there are many free education opportunities open to them.” The events also allow organizers to survey the students and get a reading on what perceptions and attitudes to- ward manufacturing currently exist. One of the primary questions asked of the students is: What technology would attract you to manufacturing? “Obviously robotics is the big one,” Hall said. “Kids want to see robotics as the next big tool for manufacturing and CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
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January 20, 2025
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