It’s no secret that advancements in technology have been playing an ever-larger role in manufacturing. Innovations in automation, robotics, digitization and, increasingly, artificial intelligence are helping employees and businesses get work done more efficiently.
Proponents say the technology boom will strengthen the industry by combining what’s new with the time-tested experience and traditions of generations of manufacturing workers. But manufacturing leaders say steps must be taken now to recruit and properly train employees – and get the word out that the days of dark, dirty factories are being replaced with modern, cutting-edge operations.
It’s certainly not your grandfather’s manufacturing industry anymore.
“The industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation,” said Felix Brockmeyer, CEO and president at East Providence-based igus Bearings Inc. “Today’s facilities are hotbeds of innovation, brimming with advanced technologies” that make it more attractive to younger workers than in recent years.
Additionally, he added, “The value of traditional skills, such as machining, toolmaking and metalworking, are becoming more and more relevant. We deploy high-tech equipment and connected machines that have sensors, motion control and actuators but still rely on the understanding of traditional manufacturing processes.”
A big part of the ongoing transformation, Brockmeyer says, is engaging young minds early on by partnering with schools to offer interactive workshops and career fairs that showcase the use of robotics, 3D printing and other new technologies.
Igus does this through in-person visits and tours, as well as virtually by showcasing its factories on social networks and explaining and advertising roles available.
A popular program at igus is Young Engineers Support, designed to foster the mechanical projects and design ideas of students with a passion for engineering. The program benefits students and young engineers by providing them with critical resources and support early in their careers. Through the program, igus supports students in North America for school projects and various design competitions with free and/or heavily discounted products, sponsorships and consultations.
“Tomorrow’s manufacturing employees will need to be comfortable with technology, problem-solving and continuous learning to adapt to rapid changes in the industry,” Brockmeyer said. “The ideal future employee will be a blend of technical expertise and soft skills. They’ll need to understand how to coexist with automation, how to use and optimize through data analysis, as well as possess strong communication, collaboration and problem-solving abilities.”
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COLLABORATIVE EFFORT: New England Institute of Technology instructor Miguel Tellez, right, goes over technique on a Bridgeport milling machine with trainee Jordyn Zeiba-Peoples.
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PAUL J. SPETRINI[/caption]
PATH TO SUCCESS
At the New England Institute of Technology, all educational programming focuses on the demand side of the labor market.
“Whether it is an NEIT undergraduate or graduate degree program or a Center for Technology and Industry workforce training program, all curricula are focused on what employers need,” said Steven Kitchin, NEIT’s vice president for corporate education and training. “That has always been New England Tech’s mission and purpose. As such, we work with manufacturers every day who have employment or training needs.”
NEIT’s Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing Institute continues to operate at full capacity for the defense manufacturing sector, as do CTI’s upskilling activities with companies such as General Dynamics Electric Boat in North Kingstown, Modine Manufacturing Co. in South Kingstown, Guill Tool & Engineering Co. in West Warwick and others. In addition, CTI offers training programs for employers in computer-aided design, statistical process control and computer numerical control.
As emerging technologies continue to evolve and change the landscape of the labor market, Kitchin says employers and employees need to collaborate to ensure that trainees are as highly skilled as possible.
Without such collaboration, he said, “Employers will be disappointed in educational outcomes and educators will be left to ‘guesstimate’ which skills they perceive may be needed in the future.”
Nicholas Fiske earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering technology from NEIT. He now works as an instrumentation technician at Amgen Rhode Island in West Greenwich and credits his instructors for preparing him well.
“Having faculty who have worked in the fields they are teaching allows for a style of teaching that combines both theory and practical knowledge that stems from years on the job,” Fiske said. “In my role, oftentimes when I am troubleshooting an issue, the solution can be attributed specifically to a lesson taught by one of my instructors. The skills and knowledge I acquired at New England Tech … touch almost every aspect of my professional and personal life.”
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ENGAGING EQUIPMENT: Jan Hennecke, robotics product manager at igus Bearings Inc., shows one of the robots that igus produces. CEO and President Felix Brockmeyer says igus partners with schools to offer workshops and tours to engage young minds.
PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO[/caption]
CAREER CHOICE
Last year, Polaris MEP partnered with the Jane Addams Resource Corp. to unveil a workforce training center in Providence. The new JARC Rhode Island Center’s aim is to train the next generation of manufacturing workers – particularly youths from families with lower incomes – through advanced manufacturing training sessions and job-placement assistance, and to raise awareness of the abundance of manufacturing careers.
Targeting skills such as computer numerical control machinist, robotics and additive manufacturing, JARC training includes Careers in Manufacturing, Business and Workforce Services, and a Bridge manufacturing program. The training center mirrors a manufacturing plant, right down to the time clock. Trainees are organized into work teams with senior trainees functioning as team leads. The curriculum is structured around industry credentials established by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“This model facilitates a hands-on, project-based approach to curriculum,” said Allori Fernandes, JARC-RI site director. “The workplace simulation sets and enforces high standards for personal accountability and job performance; soft skills are functionally embedded into the technical training activities. JARC-RI looks to consistently have a pulse on the demands in manufacturing while also working to expose [youths] to manufacturing careers, dispelling many negative stigmas about manufacturing.”
Since JARC-RI started its first cohort in September 2023, the program has enrolled 15 trainees:
• Six of the 15 made the transition from the Bridge manufacturing to Careers in Manufacturing program.
• All 15 earned their OSHA certification.
• Six trainees have earned NIMS certification in milling and lathe.
• Four trainees have been placed in jobs with manufacturers.
Darith Ngies – the first student to earn both milling and turning setup, operation, and programming credentials from JARC – says the experience was invaluable.
“I feel that JARC gave me a great foundation,” said Ngies, who recently accepted a full-time position with Electric Boat. “I learned how to run a machine but also … how valuable my skills are to employers. We got to visit companies, which gave us opportunities to see different items being made. If you have the chance, take it. It’s a great career path.”
JARC-RI is also collaborating with Polaris MEP to develop a comprehensive robotics and additive manufacturing program, in addition to working with industry partners to establish a welding program.
AI EFFECT
So, what will manufacturing really look like in say 10, 20, even 50 years?
“New technologies [such as] AI [artificial intelligence] will play a pivotal role in future manufacturing,” Brockmeyer said. “AI can optimize production processes, streamline logistics and even perform predictive maintenance. However, human oversight and critical thinking will remain essential. The future workforce will need to collaborate effectively with AI tools to make informed decisions and solve complex problems.”
Initial reports from the R.I. Department of Labor and Training see mostly benefits for the industry.
The initial workforce impact has been “a change in jobs and a slight increase in jobs, not just a replacement,” said Edwine Paul, DLT’s chief public affairs officer. “Productivity is also expected to increase with the implementation of AI, which will allow workers to do their jobs more efficiently.”