Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work

What is the number one skill that manufacturing looks for in recruiting? With emerging technologies and Industry 4.0, the landscape in manufacturing is changing every day. Despite the new corresponding skills technicians will need for career success, there are important perennial skills in the manufacturing industry. What are these skills? How will a technician integrate these cross-disciplinary skills for maximum effectiveness? Find out more in this podcast and hear how manufacturers are working with educators to develop programs for credentials and certifications for an effective talent pipeline that is ready for the future.

Phil Gilkes shares his extensive knowledge about the trends and transitions in the Supply Chain Automation industry. With systems like Predictive Maintenance and Overall Equipment Efficiency, Phil discusses the growing need for technicians to have a deeper understanding of effectiveness and efficiency in operating and maintaining equipment. Phil also gives insight into how education and employers are responding in order to equip technicians with the skills they'll need to succeed in the industry.

In this episode hear how one college is collaborating to innovate curriculum development. With the rapid emergence of the multi-disciplinary skills needed in technologies like the Internet of Things, learn about model strategies and how these innovators at Moraine Valley Community College are bringing out the best in their faculty to meet the needs of students and industry.

Join Mike and his guest, Justin Manley, as they take us on a seafaring exploration of the "blue economy" and the possibilities for technicians in this unique working environment. From his early days running a research lab building ocean robots at MIT to his current role on the business side, Justin brings his comprehensive take on ocean tech and the transferability of technical skills from one industry to another.

Host Mike Lesiecki interviews Eric Wooldridge and learns how Eric’s education and broad industry experience in engineering, architecture, and farming help him develop curricula in additive manufacturing/3D printing for Somerset’s 16 college sites and satellites.Hear about innovations happening in additive manufacturing on the front-lines of education, and discover which skills in the Cross-Disciplinary Stem Core technicians will need as the demand for additive manufacturing/3D printing by various industries intensifies. You’ll want to stay until the end as Mike and Eric discuss how faculty can introduce additive manufacturing into their curriculum even if they don’t have direct experience with it. Hear how Somerset’s Additive Manufacturing Center is training educators as Eric gives a step-by-step about how to get started, along with the valuable lessons learned along the way. Be sure to check this episode’s Show Notes for additional information and tools including links to videos presented by Eric and the Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Host Mike Lesiecki interviews Jordan Morrow, the “Godfather of Data Literacy.” They discuss how technicians can become proficient in interpreting and communicating data and why these skills are more important than ever for the future of work. They examine what certification programs and pathways for data literacy and data analytics are emerging to help address the critical functions of data literacy and data analytics. Mike and Jordan explore how instructors can begin integrating data literacy and analytics into their own programs so that students are ready to work with data to diagnose and make decisions in the workplace.

In this episode, Mike interviews Jake Hall, the "Manufacturing Millennial" for a fresh perspective on the next generation of technicians. With emerging technologies in Industry 4.0, Jake shares his thoughts about how factories are transforming and what the manufacturing sector needs to do to recruit and develop young talent.

In this episode, Todd Christensen joins Mike to talk about integrated sensors, MEMS, and how advanced digital technologies are increasing the complexity of the tools and skills required by technicians. Digitalization means technicians must be equipped with a broad range of cross-disciplinary stem skills. Todd also shares his take on the recent bill for chip manufacturing and research and how it could impact the workforce. Find out what Todd believes will be the next big thing and what advice he would offer to educators, employers, and future technicians.

As an IT professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, Amy brings her vast international experience in both large and small tech companies as she shares her insight into the Tech workforce. What skills does a technician coming into the workforce need to have to be employable and successful? Hear about the value of lifelong learning and reskilling as the development arc technicians need for a continuous trajectory of a thriving career in tech. Learn how Career Pathways, apprenticeships, and certifications are providing strategic inroads for students as well as a valuable pipeline of talent for industry.

Imagine being part of a team working for global manufacturing, supply and distribution of groundbreaking vaccines and life-saving treatments. Imagine as a technician the different roles you might have. What are your job responsibilities? What are the fundamentals and what are the more advance skills that will set you on a career path of success? Find out in this episode when Mike explores these questions and more with guest Jon Tucker.As an industry leader with a wealth of experience, Jon shares his insight and discusses how education and industry are innovating and collaborating so that technicians are equipped with the skills they’ll need today and in the future of work.

In this debut episode of our extended podcast/webinar series, we take off on an enlightening journey as we navigate autonomous technologies with special guest Zackary Nicklin of the National Center for Autonomous Technologies. Episode Highlights: Exploring Autonomous Technologies: Join us as we delve into the transformative concept of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Zackary shares his expertise on the implementation of autonomous systems across industries with valuable commentary about it as it relates to the ever-evolving technological landscape. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): Discover the future of transportation with Zackary's AAM. From programmable routes to sensors and driverless vehicles, we explore the potential impact on last-mile delivery, personal mobility, and beyond. Core Electronics Class Proposal: Learn about Northland College's proposal for a core electronics class, aiming to streamline coursework and expose students to diverse career pathways. Zackary discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing this innovative educational approach. Industry Applicability and Data Analytics: Explore the broad applicability of autonomous technologies across marine, agriculture, and space sectors. Dive into the importance of standardization, data analytics, and the role of these technologies in shaping various industries.

In this episode, Mike and Kevin delve into the burgeoning realms of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). They explore the need for collaboration with educational institutions to train future professionals and identify job opportunities in the EV sector. Drawing from his visit to Tesla's Gigafactory, Kevin discusses manufacturing processes and emphasize the importance of safety certifications and coupling EVs with renewable energy sources. Additionally, he sheds light on the development of EV programs in Southeastern states and initiatives to address gender disparities in the automotive industry. From emerging battery technologies to cybersecurity considerations, Kevin offers insights into the dynamic landscape of renewable energy and EVs, leaving listeners with valuable resources for further exploration and professional growth.

This episode delves into the pivotal role of data analytics in modern technical fields, particularly in Northern Utah's manufacturing sector. Mike and guests Mason Lefler and Scott Danielson explore the evolving landscape of technician education, emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary STEM skills and the need for educational institutions to adapt to industry demands. They discuss the integration of data analytics into technician training programs, highlighting initiatives such as grants for developing data analytics courses and automated manufacturing trainers. They also touch on challenges in curriculum refinement and student skill retention.

This episode provides a better understanding of why everyone needs basic cybersecurity awareness as Mike and guest John Sands explore the booming demand for cybersecurity professionals across industries, emerging threats, and the critical skills needed to combat them. They also discuss how community colleges are equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools to succeed by integrating cybersecurity modules into existing training programs to create a cybersecurity-savvy workforce.

In this podcast episode, Mike Lesiecki hosts Alexandra Gorgevska, Department Chair for the Biotechnology Program at Palm Beach State College, as they discuss integrating emerging technologies into educational programs. Alexandra shares insights into the modifications made to the biotechnology program, highlighting partnerships with industry and the importance of adapting curriculum to meet industry demands. They focus on the introduction of spreadsheet skills in the curriculum, addressing challenges and strategies for implementation. Their discussion underscores the need for relevant skills in the workforce and the role of educational institutions in bridging skill gaps.

Over the last ten years, the skills gap has increasingly been the subject of business roundtables, government agency forums and think tank research. Employers report struggling to find new workers with the skills they need. This means that both entry-level employees and incumbent workers need upskilling. Our guest in this episode says that if you think you're going to hire somebody off the street that knows how to press every button, forget it. So who owns this skills gap?

We struggle so often in our classrooms and in the larger educational systems to encourage women to participate and when they do participate, to persist in technology programs. Technical program enrollments seldom have more than 20% women. On the industry side, high tech also faces challenges in gender equity. Guests Alexa Frank and Rachael Munkacsi, Deloitte, and Hope Cotner, CORD, discuss how some of the strategies and lessons learned from Deloitte’s work on designing equality in the workplace translate to the classroom environment.

How are industry, education, and government working together to build a sustainable end-to-end bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem? Why is it more important than ever and how can industry work with educational institutions to influence curriculum development so that technicians acquire the cross-disciplinary skills industry needs? Listen to our interview with Tom Tubon of BioMADE as he and Mike discuss how BioMADE is catalyzing collaboration and innovation to help develop and expand the future workforce for industrial biotechnology.

In episode 33 Mike and guest Aaron Osmond explore the cloud from an industry and workforce perspective. They discuss the need to increase the pipeline of technicians going into cloud technology and how emerging technologies are expanding the range of skills needed by technicians working in the cloud space. With the increasing demand for skilled technicians hear how companies like AWS Cloud services are partnering with higher education institutions and workforce agencies to integrate cloud education into existing programs.

In this episode we hear three different perspectives in a strategic partnership that is developing the pipeline of technicians for one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities, a semiconductor foundry. Hear about how industry partners are working with community colleges to identify skills gaps and empower educators to align and adapt existing coursework to address those skills gaps. How is this relationship empowering educators to have their finger on the pulse of industry demands so they can respond swiftly to the ever-expanding portfolio of cross-disciplinary skills a technician will need?

In this episode, Mike talks with Drew Garretson, Director of Digital Experience for Ceres Solutions. Drew shares about Industry 4.0 in agriculture and the diverse skills and expertise of technicians and farmers that are impacting agriculture in the digital age.

In this episode, Mike talks with Carl Benttine, a Senior Electronics Technician at Hormel Foods. Carl shares his educational and workforce journey, in which he gained a variety of electromechanical, programming and troubleshooting skills that have led to a long career.

In this interview with Curt Yoose, an Agriculture instructor at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota, he discusses agricultural technology and education programs. He defines the field as “using technology to make producers, growers, farmers more productive, more efficient, and lessen their impact on the environment, using technology to do those things.” He explained that there are two types of technical applications in agriculture—one dealing with software and data components and another with hardware and electrical components. Not surprisingly, he says the skill in most demand is troubleshooting, requiring both soft skills and technical skills.

Before Jennifer Oddo became Executive Director of the Division of Workforce Education and Innovation at Youngstown State University, she spent a significant amount of time at IBM, where she helped them create their competency-based IT apprenticeship program, focused on “new-collar” jobs. "Many know apprenticeships in the trades and construction industry and they’ve had a lot of success in those areas. But what many don’t realize is that IBM, along with other companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Bosch, T-Mobile, and other organizations have really dusted off this program to reinvent them in the IT world… taking that competency-based approach…We also recognize that many of our academic institutions, frankly, can’t keep up with the pace of change and the pace of skill changes that are happening in the industry."

Rich Little, a welding engineer at United Launch Alliance, the space vehicle manufacturing company that manufactured the Atlas Delta and Vulcan Centaur launch vehicles, says that incoming welders will need preparation in the basics, including shield metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding. He adds that on top of that, it would be great for them: "to learn some computers, electrical, systems, robotics—and start to understand that not all welding today is shield metal arc welding anymore, and these systems get very complicated. So, it almost becomes an engineering level of understanding on many systems [and that] if a technician is trying to go into aerospace  or really any manufacturing discipline that there is, whether that be automotive, or shipbuilding… having a knowledge of cycle times and manufacturing efficiency is important."

Dr. Linda Molnar is a scientist and entrepreneur with more than 20 years’ experience in the life sciences and chemical industries. She's integrated her scientific research and engineering background with commercialization for startups and international government and business environments. Currently, Dr. Molnar is a National Science Foundation Program Director involved with a very new program called the Convergence Accelerator.

It's a great time to start focusing on robotics and automation, says Chief Workforce Officer of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, Lisa Masciantonio, because it will provide a lifelong learning journey with continuing opportunities for career evolution. Robotics and automation technologies and changing and expanding rapidly and that means that manufacturers need a workforce that can keep pace with the changes. Masciantonio sees a large skills gap that her Institute is addressing with new competency models, program audits and endorsements. In the podcast, she describes three levels of robotics technicians: "We've created, with our experts across our ecosystem, a competency framework, focused on the Industry 4.0 robotic career pathways, where you look at the competencies at the robotic technician level. Those are the fundamental skills. Things like mechanical systems, maintenance and troubleshooting, electronics and controls, electrical systems, safety, robot programming, fluid power, PLC. As they become more experienced, and they get more on-the-job training, they would become more specialized. They'd move into an advanced Industry 4.0 Specialist role. Then a big gap in the manufacturing workforce is at the Robotic Integrator level. What we're learning that the manufacturers themselves are actually in need of very experienced people to focus on the internal workings of using that automated equipment or that robot. And they would be focused on really key, more applied technologies like augmented reality or virtual reality, simulations, offline programming——making sure that the systems are interoperable across the manufacturing floor."

Sarah Boisvert has put her 30+ years of experience in the design, development, and commercialization of high technology products, digital fabrication, laser machining and 3D printing to excellent use as the founder and CEO of the Fab Lab Hub, the Co-founder of the New Collar Network, and the author of the book, The New Collar Workforce. In this episode, she shares what her research has revealed employers – particularly in manufacturing – are looking for and the new ways that operators and technicians can demonstrate skills competency. "On the technical side, one of the most prevalent skills that people were looking for was digital skills. Today, if you’re running a welding machine, you also have to be able to look at a CAD design and determine what the parameters are."

In 2020, Intel and the Maricopa Community College District issued a joint press releases announcing their partnership to launch the first associate degree program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Carlos Contreras with Intel notes a sense of urgency around this technology because of the speed at which it is being adopted by a wide variety of industry sectors. Partnerships between educational institutions and industry provide a collaborative model that is custom-built to address the speed of the transition in the region. Working together, the colleges and Intel hope to bring the U.S. workforce up to the AI skill level of countries such as South Korea, India, Singapore. In this episode, Bassam Matar from Chandler Gilbert Community College describes the design and roll-out of their AAS degree and certificate program, both of which have no prerequisites for entry and are designed to expand digital readiness for the future of work. Ultimately, says Contreras, as a company, Intel's goal "by 2030 is to reach 30 countries, 30,000 institutions and get 30 million students skilled in artificial intelligence."

Over the last decade, collaborative robot technology has really gained traction in the automation market. Collaborative robots (cobots) can safely operate in close proximity to skilled human operators and are very easy to deploy and use, explains Joe Campbell of Universal Robots. Cobot programming is very simple in contrast to traditional robots so technicians can learn the fundamentals within a few hours through UR’s online academy. This accessibility conveys an added benefit—it helps combat the perception that manufacturing is dull, dirty, and dangerous, a misconception that steers younger technicians away from the field. And for incumbent workers, deploying cobots may mean moving a technician into a higher-value assignment.

Dave Vasko, Director of Advanced Technologies at Rockwell Automation, describes how the increasing sophistication and capabilities of technologies coming to the manufacturing floor — technologies such as AI and the anticipated hybridization of large-scale robots with slower more independent cobots – are creating a lot of complexity for the technician. Going forward, he says, technicians will require different skills: the ability to configure networks and firewalls, to operate equipment remotely and collaboratively, and to troubleshoot the initial commissioning of equipment using digital twins with virtual reality, just to name a few. The approach to programming is changing as well, from writing code from scratch to starting with a library of possible code that can be applied and then debugged at the machine. This convergence of OT with IT means that it is, as Vasko notes, an exciting time to be in manufacturing.

Having been part of a company that distributes, rebuilds and services machine tool for nearly 40 years, Terry Iverson has seen many changes in CNC and in manufacturing overall. In this episode, he shares his perspectives on the factors driving CNC manufacturing today——global competitiveness, reshoring, and the need for younger employees; explains the unique characteristics of the four types of control systems; and describes the impact of emerging technologies. Where is industry going next with additive manufacturing and cobots? And what impact will this have on the education of entry-level technicians?

In today’s VUCA environment characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, explains Mark Maybury, Chief Technology Officer for Stanley Black & Decker, new technicians will need digital skills, "soft" skills, and the ability to be a lifelong learner. New, emerging jobs in a subset some call "gray collar," require not just hands-on skills and mechanical knowledge but also digital skills in computing, data analytics, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Technicians who learn new knowledge and skills the fastest and contribute the most and collaborate most effectively will be the ones who will succeed. In addition to being able to collaborate, they will need to be good at listening and very good at understanding and empathizing. A combination of "hard" skills and "soft" skills are the key things sought from job candidates in a constantly changing future workplace.

Before the Internet of Things, a technician would hook a digital multimeter up to a sensor, measure the output and evaluate whether equipment is running properly. Now there are smart sensors that have built-in diagnostics built. The technician’s job has expanded beyond taking rudimentary measurements and making a judgment call. Erik Fogleman from ConnStep, a consulting firm that works with Connecticut’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, explains why today’s technicians need to learn how machines talk to each other and to the cloud and edge computing systems. They need to learn communications protocols that dictate how devices talk to each other, how to configure them, and how to troubleshoot them when they are not communicating. It’s not about more intelligent machines replacing technicians, but about machines providing technicians with more accurate “actionable intelligence.”

While nine or ten technologies are often categorized as critical to Industry 4.0, in this episode Marilyn Barger and Richard Gilbert highlight the skills needed for the four that will impact manufacturing technicians over the next four to five years in their daily operational mode: simulation, the industrial internet of things, autonomous robots, and additive/subtractive manufacturing (and associated materials). Technicians working with each of these technologies will need specific skill sets. Which skills are most sought by industry? Are instructors on the same page? Using data gathered from surveys of Florida manufacturers and educators, Barger and Gilbert discovered gaps—sometimes gaps in prioritization of skills that need to be taught, and other times perspective gaps based on vocabulary used by each group to talk about the skills—and also many points of agreement between the two groups.

What are the cross-cutting skills–the skills vital for all future STEM technicians, regardless of discipline, to practice in order to be successful? Matthew Carter from Cook Medical, a manufacturing company, shares that it is vitally important for technicians to be able to gather data, present information, and balance the technical aspects of a project with its business considerations as well as perform what are considered more traditional technical skills. They also must be able to work in cross-functional teams. He notes that medical device manufacturing is not different from other industries in at least one regard: as quality demands continue to increase, the consistency of the product is very important. In this episode, we talk about how the data, the technology, and the people work together like gears interacting with one another to maintain process efficiency and product quality.

Even in the best times, it can be a challenge keeping employers engaged and interested in supporting your college technical programs. We know that it is important for programs to maintain strong industry partnerships, but what does that look like in a rapidly changing business and education environment? For starters, it means cultivating a champion within companies, a champion who shares information about your program and its graduates and who can envision the return on investment from engagement. That ROI might be as simple as increased community visibility from event sponsorship or as multifaceted as future employee recruitment. In this episode, Jill Zande, Associate Director at the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center in Monterey, California examines how professional societies—in this case the Marine Technology Society—and companies can be champions for educational initiatives. She also discusses how sponsoring the ROV (underwater remotely operated vehicle) Competition World Championship each year provides both types of ROI.

As the Western Region Buildings and Systems Engineering Training Manager at UPS, David Ayala has seen the company go from humans manually sorting packages by zip code—way back in 1999—to today’s increasingly automated processes. Moving from standard motor control to PLCs, camera scanners, and mechanical devices has increased efficiency, leading to increased capacity and the need to double their staff of automation technicians and maintenance mechanics in some cases. New hires need to be multi-skilled, with troubleshooting, mechanical, and welding experience preferred. Most importantly, they need to be able to perform reliably under pressure in an industry where time is a make-or-break factor. Predictive maintenance is one of the keys to successful operations at UPS.

In this episode, we check in on the evolution of those buzzword technologies driving manufacturing: automation, 5G, big data, AI, cybersecurity, machine learning and cobots. All of these technologies impact technician training. What do they really need to know? Will every technician need a cobot assigned to them? Our guests from the Association for Manufacturing Technology help us compare the hype behind some technologies with the timeline for thorough development and implementation. In other words, they help us understand technology in the service of the problem to be solved, not just technology for technology’s sake.

What are employers looking for in a technician candidate? And how do they find those new hires. One approach, used at BRP, Inc., involves a partnership between several companies and Gateway Technical College. Together they’ve developed a one-year Motorcycle, Marine, and Outdoor Power Product program that feeds the local technician pipeline. As with most employers, what they’re looking for is hands-on experience but also a willingness to learn. Do they bring the immediate skills that they need in order to be successful in a role? Do they bring the ability and knowledge to transform and come on that journey with as the company changes?

The drivers for the changes and investments businesses make have always been centered on reducing costs and increasing productivity. Those things are obviously still very, very important. But what has surfaced is a real focus on the customer. Service companies have realized that customer centricity is critical to their success and field service plays a pivotal role in the customer experience. There are certain industries in which a field technician may be the only real face of the brand that the customer sees. This means that not only has the field technician's world changed in terms of the tools they're using, but even more importantly, in terms what it takes for them to deliver the desired customer experience.

Digital Transformation Specialists challenge companies' technology status quo. It requires the usual technical skills -- analysis, diagnostics, testing, and documentation – plus excellent communication skills. A Digital Transformation Specialist must be able to educate (and persuade) their team members who are engineers, IT staff, and other technicians about the value and use of new technologies. With the rapid pace at which technology is advancing, expect to see this position appearing in many job search sites.

As the Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work project celebrates its first birthday, it’s time to stop and ask, “What have we learned?” and “What have we accomplished?” Here are some highlights of Year 1 from the Project Leadership Team. Stay tuned for Year 2!

Technology allows people who are building and developing things to do it in virtual space, the digital space, and then to use the information from that exact duplicate and build the part. Companies are looking for ways to get a competitive advantage and that’s the promise of the digital twin. You can now simulate the manufacturing of that part, make a change, and see where it works and where it doesn’t before investing in its production. The collaboration between manufacturing engineers has also improved in areas such as end-to-end information flow and teamwork.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence help robots become smarter and more aware of their surroundings, so that they can work on their own. As they become more independent and can make the decisions on their own, productivity should improve. But at the same time that robots are becoming more versatile, they are also becoming more complex. A different technician skill set will be needed. In the past robots were primarily programmed by engineers or technicians, and the programming defined very specifically what the robot could do. Now we have much better software, so as some tasks are assumed by robots, new tasks in robot maintenance and programming will evolve. And hopefully technicians can upskill to meet these new technological challenges.

What if a student would like to earn credit in bite-sized pieces? What if employers valued shorter-time, competency-based credentials? Micro-credentials might be an answer. Intrigued? Podcast guest Timothy Thomas says that learning opportunities need to shift to be more personalized, more practical, more applied, and nimbler. After working with industry to design their initial AAS degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology, he then asked them whether they would find value in shorter-term, competency-based credentials. This gave birth to the micro-credential, a sequence of 9-15 credit hours, often 3 courses, designed to facilitate the attainment of a single competency. The road to micro-credentialing was not easy. There were faculty and departments to convince this was a wise course of action. Thomas graciously shared the language that Mohawk Valley adopted to describe their micro-credentials so you can get a head start!

How can industry inspire students to envision themselves working in advanced manufacturing? And how can colleges attract and recruit students into existing high-tech career pathways programs? One approach, FlexFactor, combines strategic collaboration between organizations and student-led experiential learning to spark interest and spur recruitment. The program reaches students—the workforce of the future--through plant and college tours and problem-solving activities that can be integrated into classroom instruction in any subject. The industry and academic partnerships encourage students to consider potential careers so that they can make informed decisions about career pathways that will lead them to become competitive hires.

A gap may exist between industry practice and what our students learn and practice in our education environment if they don’t learn about Overall Equipment Effectiveness. Today nearly every industry is digitally transforming itself whether they're producing biopharmaceuticals, semiconductor chips, corn chips, or cellphones. The accompanying high levels of automation and sensors monitoring every process and every piece of equipment generates an unbelievable amount of data. This data can help answer the questions, "How efficient are we?" And "Can we be better?"

As technology evolves so tasks and occupations transform. We know that demand for some positions involving tasks that can be automated are going to decline and in some cases disappear, while entirely new occupations will emerge. When we say technology, what the technologies are we talking about? We mean advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, biotechnology, information and security technologies, including cybersecurity, and agricultural and environmental technologies. Every one of these technologies focuses on the fields in which we need a skilled technical workforce. This week our podcast host introduces some of the challenges in hiring and training workers in a rapidly changing workplace.