Transform Manufacturing Education to Stay Competitive
Interdisciplinary engineering knowledge has the capability of increasing rapid manufacturing efficiency and productivity. We are currently seeing shifts towards incorporating additional skill sets into the basics of mechanical engineering. Before we go into the role of transforming manufacturing education, let’s examine the previous state and where we currently stand.
New Delhi: In today’s manufacturing industry, we’re experiencing fast-paced advancements in operations technologies, design for manufacturing, data management, etc. This is coupled with the incorporation of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and machine learning technologies.
However, there is a significant skills gap in the manufacturing industry. The manufacturing workforce might be aging, and there’s a need to attract younger workers to ensure a seamless flow of necessary details for rapid manufacturing and prototyping services. As a result, manufacturing industries require a perfect balance of manufacturing skill sets and technical experience.
Interdisciplinary engineering knowledge has the capability of increasing rapid manufacturing efficiency and productivity. We are currently seeing shifts towards incorporating additional skill sets into the basics of mechanical engineering. Before we go into the role of transforming manufacturing education, let’s examine the previous state and where we currently stand.
The Previous State of Manufacturing Education
Before the emergence of Industry 4.0, manufacturing education was primarily focused on traditional manufacturing processes that relied heavily on manual labor and low-tech equipment. The emphasis was on teaching technical skills related to machinery operation, quality control, and production management.
The traditional curriculum in manufacturing programs was not up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies. As a result, engineering graduates were not prepared for the demands of modern manufacturing projects. In addition, there was a lack of collaboration between academia and industry. While the manufacturing industry constantly improves, educational institutions are doing little to stay current. As a result, there were constraints in providing industry-specific education and training.
Leveraging Manufacturing Education for Productivity
Studies now show that there will be a general shift towards design for manufacturing (DfM), including knowledge of the latest manufacturing processes, coding, analytics, 3D modeling, CNC machining, engineering simulation, etc. The emphasis is now on training students to understand and apply these technologies in manufacturing to increase efficiency, productivity, and quality. This will help improve rapid prototyping and custom manufacturing skills over time.
A skilled workforce with proper training in the latest technologies can help reduce production time and costs, improve quality control, and improve performance. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, enhanced brand reputation, and increased profits. Moreover, a skilled workforce will likely stay in their jobs and progress in their careers.
As a result, we may witness reduced turnover rates and a stable, competent workforce. There’s also room for new knowledge updates, helping to bridge the skills gap and provide a pipeline for the industry. Transforming manufacturing education can help the industry compete globally and drive economic growth.
- Industry-Academia Collaboration
Academia is embracing new technologies, including artificial intelligence & machine learning, generative design, augmented reality/virtual reality, etc. They believe that applying these technologies will be an essential product development skill set for years to come. Integrating these technologies into the curriculum will help prepare engineers for modern manufacturing demands.
Manufacturing engineers with a blend of these skills will be able to operate and maintain the latest technologies and equipment. Access to industry-specific training as well as enhanced additive manufacturing expertise, will help improve rapid prototyping results and manufacturing throughputs.
The roles of CNC machinists will also undergo significant changes. Such machinists must understand the roles of engineering technicians and be able to carry out programming operations. They will be expected to take on additional functions as the operational environment transforms.
- Incorporating Soft Skills
While technical skills are essential in the manufacturing industry, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership are also critical. Manufacturing education must include training in soft skills to ensure the necessary interpersonal skills to succeed in the workplace. Soft skills training can help bridge the skills gap by providing the upcoming workforce with skills that are in high demand in the manufacturing industry.
- Focus on Certifications
It is also important for academia to embrace the idea of institutions re-evaluating the excessive reliance on degrees. At the same time, specialized certifications should also be favored in order to meet the continuously changing demands of manufacturing and rapid prototyping services. The industry and academia should collaborate on acceptable certification programs for different roles according to industry requirements.
There are several valuable ways to make it into the manufacturing workforce with proper exposure and training in the required skill set. There is currently a fast adoption of digital technologies in the educational sector. This e-learning and digitalization should also be incorporated into manufacturing education. Online courses and virtual simulation platforms can provide the upcoming workforce with flexible learning opportunities and access to the latest manufacturing technologies and techniques. It also helps overcome geographical barriers, making manufacturing education more accessible to people in remote areas.
Getting a degree has sometimes been a reason for exclusion. Not everyone can afford the physical and financial access to four-year degrees. The industry must consider technical spaces, community colleges, and other areas where people from diverse backgrounds can learn and improve their skills. On-ramps through technical training and certifications will allow individuals who normally may not have access to the industry for various reasons to come up with their expertise and unique solutions.
Conclusion
Transforming manufacturing education is essential to ensure that the industry remains competitive and that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet modern manufacturing demands. It is not only beneficial for manufacturing and rapid prototyping but also allows individuals to move further forward in their careers.
Collaboration between industry and academia, integration of emerging technologies, and inclusion of soft skills are key strategies to transform manufacturing education. It is also essential to re-evaluate reliance on degrees and find ways to offer certification opportunities for willing individuals. By transforming manufacturing education, we can help bridge the skills gap and ensure the industry has a skilled and competent workforce.