Artificial intelligence (AI) could help manufacturers address persistent workforce shortages by expanding the pool of qualified applicants, reimagining workflows, and supplementing on-the-job training, according to a study from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute (MI).
The study focuses on in-demand manufacturing technician roles and how embedding AI into new workflows could help deliver critical knowledge, skills, and guidance to a wider pool of workers in adjacent fields with similar skillsets.
In fact, the analysis identifies nearly 2 million technicians in adjacent industries whose broad skills may be transferable to manufacturing. These workers could represent an important source of talent for manufacturers seeking to broaden pathways into technician roles and strengthen their workforce pipeline, and AI could play a crucial role.
The specificity of skills and knowledge required to fill the nearly half-million open manufacturing technician roles has led to a critical skills gap and remains a significant challenge for both manufacturers and aspiring manufacturing workers. By digitizing technical knowledge and putting critical information at workers’ fingertips, AI could help bridge skills gaps, reduce time spent searching for answers, empower workers transitioning from adjacent fields, and enable experienced manufacturing workers to focus on higher-value tasks. There is an opportunity to augment human judgment and make technical capabilities more accessible.
“AI could help manufacturers make technical expertise more accessible while preserving the judgment and experience of the people doing the work,” said Steve Shepley, Industrial Products and Construction Sector leader, Deloitte. “The industry now has the opportunity to redesign workflows, broaden pathways into technician roles, and give workers the support they need to develop and perform in more complex jobs. Organizations can consider deliberate investment in skills, trust and the workforce ecosystems that connect employers, educators and talent.”
