Emily Suzuki
As manufacturers, we’ve heard it all before:
- There aren’t enough skilled workers to fill the millions of manufacturing jobs available.
- The manufacturing skills gap is continuing to increase.
These issues are real, and they won’t improve until younger generations get more excited about careers in manufacturing.
Shifting the perception of manufacturing careers
Many people of all ages still have preconceived notions that manufacturing is low-skilled, menial work. However, the reality is that the manufacturers of today are innovators, creators, designers, and critical thinkers, and they’re creating the world we’ll be living in tomorrow.
Every technological advancement in the way we make things—from generative design to AI—transforms manufacturing jobs into more intellectual and creative careers. Factory workers of today work in areas of manufacturing that include engineering, information technology, robotics, design and many other highly intellectualized fields. The more specialized manufacturing careers become, the more fun and challenging they are.
Solving exciting manufacturing challenges with technology
To that point, as technology like CAM and MES tools continue to develop, manufacturers have the opportunity to continuously problem-solve, exploring new methods for optimizing parts, material usage, and even factory floor operations. Here are a couple of examples.
Streamlining manufacturing operations
For factories to run smoothly, they need a streamlined manufacturing process and an easy way to track operations like material usage, machine downtime, etc. Today’s manufacturers have the opportunity to explore more technology than ever and figure out how to streamline part production and operations.
Lowe Hardware is a company that manufactures high-end architectural and marine hardware for luxury homes and yachts. It uses Autodesk Fusion to streamline its CAM process and Fusion Operations to optimize its factory floor.
Lowe’s team took the opportunity to figure out the best way to take its previously manual, spreadsheet-driven system and evolve it into a state-of-the-art operation. Fusion programs its parts for machining, and Fusion Operations handles its 14,000-plus SKUs as the parts are produced. “We’ve reduced back orders from 36% to just 10% in six months,” says Elliot Lowe, Principal, Lowe Hardware.
Democratizing manufacturing
Manufacturers of today are also creative business founders who see gaps in the market that need filling. Take SendCutSend CEO Jim Belosic, who realized there are tons of businesses looking for one-off prototypes or small batches of a product instead of committing to a massive order.
SendCutSend offers accessible manufacturing services to a diverse range of customers, from individuals and small businesses to global manufacturers. A customer simply uploads a file for an instant quote on the website, then adds on options like CNC bending, powder coating, or PEM hardware, and then previews a 3D model. The final step is just a click to purchase, and it’s manufactured and shipped within a couple of days. SCS uses Fusion to facilitate the MFG process, including its own handy plugin.
Developing and implementing new technology
Manufacturing jobs go beyond traditional machining. 3D printing falls under the manufacturing umbrella, and its technology continues to evolve and expand across industries.
PROGRESS GROUP, for example, is taking 3D printing to the next level. It developed innovative 3D printing technology, Selective Paste Intrusion (SPI), which is a high-resolution concrete printing method that builds parts layer by layer, using a sand scattering unit and a precision print head. The team connects Autodesk Revit for building design, Autodesk Inventor for detailed engineering, and Autodesk Fusion for manufacturing. The result is fully 3D-printed concrete structures. This team is quite literally building the future.
Getting kids interested in manufacturing
As you can see, career opportunities in the manufacturing industry are diverse and abundant. So, how do we build interest in these fields? Helping spread the word about the power of making can be as simple as telling parents and teachers about free software and learning platforms available online.
Organizations like STEM and Maker Faire are already getting kids involved with making. As manufacturers, we can help by promoting these organizations as often as possible. Additionally, Autodesk offers free software for students and educators, including Autodesk Fusion. Autodesk University and the Fusion YouTube channel also offer many ways to learn about manufacturing online.
Let’s get the conversation started now. What ideas do you have to help change the perspective about careers in manufacturing?