Closing the Skills Gap With Manufacturing Training and L&D
The manufacturing industry is experiencing rapid transformation fueled by technological advancements, but this progress also exposes a significant skills gap that threatens to stifle growth and innovation. According to a Deloitte report, this gap could result in 2.4 million unfilled positions by 2028, costing the U.S. economy $2.5 trillion.
This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Learning and Development (L&D) departments. They must design and implement targeted training programs that equip workers with the skills needed to thrive in this evolving landscape. Manufacturing companies, particularly those with multiple sites, require diverse and specialized training solutions that address the unique needs of various roles—from machine operators to HR and IT personnel. This training must encompass everything from specialized machinery operation to broader topics like health and safety regulations.
This blog post delves into how L&D professionals can strategically bridge this skills gap, enhance workforce capabilities, and ensure long-term success in the manufacturing industry.
Top Learning and Development Challenges in the Manufacturing Industry
- Economic Pressure and Global Uncertainty: The manufacturing industry frequently encounters economic challenges stemming from unpredictable market dynamics and worldwide instability, such as geopolitical conflicts or economic downturns. To equip employees with the skills needed to navigate such uncertain market conditions, learning leaders can introduce scenario-driven training programs.
- Adopting Advanced and Emerging Technology: Companies in the manufacturing industry must continually incorporate advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to boost their efficiency, productivity, and maintain a competitive advantage. Learning leaders can develop training programs to upskill employees on new technologies and provide continuous learning opportunities to stay updated with emerging trends. Interactive workshops and simulated scenarios can foster practical learning experiences.
- Increasing the Agility of the Supply Chain: Disruptions in the supply chain caused by natural calamities, trade conflicts, or pandemics, can greatly affect manufacturing activities. The ability to swiftly adapt and the resilience of the supply chain are crucial in confronting unexpected hurdles. Learning leaders can implement training initiatives covering supply chain management, risk evaluation, and agile methodologies to empower staff to adeptly handle such disruptions. Providing employees with training across various areas of the supply chain can improve adaptability.
- Talent Disruptions and Opportunities: The manufacturing industry is facing talent challenges because of demographic changes, and the retirement of experienced workers. Learning leaders can focus on workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development initiatives to address skill gaps and ensure a pipeline of skilled workers. Introducing mentorship programs and knowledge transfer sessions can ease the transfer of expertise from seasoned employees to new recruits.
- Mitigating Cybersecurity Risks: With the increasing digitization of manufacturing processes and reliance on interconnected systems, cybersecurity threats pose significant risks to data integrity, intellectual property, and operational continuity. Learning leaders can deliver cybersecurity awareness training to employees, educating them on potential risks and best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. Regular security drills and simulations can assist employees in recognizing and responding to cyber threats effectively.
- Sustainability and Renewable Energy: In the manufacturing industry, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability efforts and the utilization of renewable energy sources. This shift is driven by the need to minimize the environmental footprint, adhere to regulatory requirements, and respond to consumer preferences for environmentally friendly products. Learning leaders can design training programs centered on sustainable manufacturing practices, energy efficiency, and compliance with environmental regulations to promote awareness and foster a culture of sustainability within the organization.
Bridge the Skills Gap in the Manufacturing Industry With NIIT’s Learning Solutions
We at NIIT have spent years partnering with manufacturing organizations to revamp L&D from designing creative immersive learning experiences to introducing cutting-edge learning systems. Our specialized L&D services for manufacturing organizations include:
Managed Learning Operations: We understand more than anyone that your business depends on your ability to upskill, reskill, and prepare the workforce. This is the time when the L&D leaders in manufacturing need a flexible and resilient learning ecosystem that is ready for any business challenge that they might encounter. Therefore, our extensive suite of Managed Learning Services is designed to address exactly that. Our suite aligns the L&D strategies with your business priorities to deliver significant, measurable outcomes. We strive to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the L&D initiatives, whether it’s revamping extensive learning operations, including administration, delivery, vendor management, or strategic sourcing, our services are customized to meet the specific challenges faced by the manufacturing industry. We intend to provide a committed team that will take care of the operations and high service standards so that your L&D internal teams can solely focus on strategic priorities.
Custom Content for Skill Building: Ranked among the largest custom content providers worldwide, we deliver all levels and modalities of learning. Our expertise in innovative instructional design and immersive learning has delivered remarkable outcomes for manufacturing organizations. Whether it's game-based safety training or learning about engineering concepts in an experiential learning environment, our expert team creates tailored solutions to meet your needs. By collaborating with your subject-matter experts, we design content that integrates learning into the flow of work. We create bespoke content that evolves with your business, covering everything from new competencies, such as cybersecurity education and shifting to renewable energy sources, to leadership and professional skills.
Cutting-Edge Technology Platform for Learning in the Flow of Work: Our award-winning Learning Experience Platform delivers highly personalized learning paths tailored to individual roles, tenure, and performance. It leverages both custom and curated content to ensure relevant and impactful learning experiences. Driven by artificial intelligence, the platform aligns learning with performance, providing real-time insights, analytics, and support. The employees will be able to use features like role plays, social and collaborative learning, mentoring, and coaching to enhance productivity and performance. With support for multiple languages and offline synchronization, the platform is successfully effective across both developed and emerging markets worldwide.
Case Study: Transforming Field Engineer Training With Cost-Effective Simulation
Challenge: Our customer, an American multinational conglomerate operating in over 170 countries, faced the challenge of providing a cost-effective training solution for the recertification of field engineers who serve as a "Second Person" during generator stress tests. Traditional training methods required these engineers to travel to a company training Center for a week-long in-person training session, which involved high costs associated with travel, lodging, and time away from the job.
Solution: The company partnered with NIIT to develop a real-time 3D generator testing simulation. This solution was designed to reduce the cost of recertification by offering on-demand access to training via an app available in the company's corporate app store. The app, which could be easily downloaded onto each field engineer's iPad, provided a virtual recreation of a disassembled generator and covered the 10 critical tests performed on generators during planned outages. Once the engineer successfully completed all the tests, the app communicated with the company's Learning Management System to update the user's certification status.
Result: This innovative approach to training resulted in significant cost reductions. The traditional in-person recertification courses cost $15,000 per one-week course, for a maximum of 12 learners, and each learner's average travel and lodging cost was $2,000. By switching to the app-based method, the company was able to eliminate these ongoing costs. Additionally, the app received positive feedback from learners who appreciated the ability to learn at their own pace and practice key tests as many times as they wanted. The company plans to further expand this style of training in the future.
Download the case study to learn more.
Outsource Your Manufacturing Training & Learning to NIIT
Closing the skills gap in the manufacturing industry is a complex but achievable goal. By investing in targeted manufacturing training and L&D programs, businesses can equip their workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. From addressing skills shortages to leveraging advanced learning technologies, these initiatives play a crucial role in ensuring the sector's competitiveness and growth.
We’ve assisted many manufacturing companies in reshaping their learning ecosystems and aligning their L&D with business objectives to deliver measurable business impact.
Outsource your manufacturing training and L&D to secure the future of your business and the industry. Explore our comprehensive managed learning services and discover how we can help you bridge the skills gap and achieve success.
To learn more, schedule a consultation with us.