How Automation Secures the Future Workforce

"Automation is not a threat to jobs, but a way to create more valuable and meaningful work for humans." - Greg Satell

Recent developments across all industries and sectors indicate a significant shift in mindset regarding automation solutions. Previously, the primary focus for automating processes was the return on investment (ROI), with simple calculations comparing the costs of employees to the costs of automation. This approach often led to fears of machines replacing humans, with labor unions emphasizing the importance of job security. Over time, however, other aspects of automation, such as reproducibility and capacity, have gained importance.

Today, discussions with our customers center on how they can secure their teams for the future. Despite a high number of job vacancies, the labor market remains tight, with unemployment rates at historic lows. Many jobs are going unfilled due to a lack of suitable candidates. This is also the case for "low-level" jobs, particularly in roles like sampling and sample preparation in uncomfortable environments. The scarcity of suitable candidates contributes to another issue: high employee turnover in this field, making it difficult to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge.

As a result, automation is now viewed from a different perspective, often contradicting the views held decades ago. Industries now face the reality that investing in automation is not just a matter of cost but a necessity to maintain their operational capabilities.

In addition to automation, upskilling has become crucial. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicates that almost half of the skills required for all jobs will need to change in the next five years. Employers are increasingly investing in reskilling and upskilling initiatives to prepare their workforce for these changes. Automation can help address this by taking on repetitive tasks and automated process monitoring. This allows human workers to focus on more complex roles.

Please let us know how we can help you to manage the dynamic challenges of the modern workforce.