(CHICAGO) — Today, SME released its third smart manufacturing report to help manufacturers evaluate and execute strategies to strengthen their ability to compete in industry that is shifting to integrated and flexible advanced manufacturing technology and tools. According to the report, nearly half (47 percent) of manufacturers planning to invest in digital technology solutions in the next 24 months. Now is the time to determine needed competencies, ramp up recruiting and bolster training of both new hires and incumbent workers.

“Smart Manufacturing: Building Talent to Accelerate a Digital Transformation” is available now to download. The report discusses the importance of a creating learning culture and how manufacturers are developing a “smart” workforce to drive business results. It outlines potential first steps that manufacturing leaders can take to support a workforce development plan to support these new initiatives.

“The vast amounts of data being collected across the various manufacturing system hierarchies will create needs for new types of manufacturing skill sets where workers at all levels are savvy in instrumentation, sensing and actuation, data analytics, computer science and systems engineering practices,” said Al Sanders, PhD, president and owner of Design-Vantage Technologies LLC, a company that helps organizations develop and implement the operational innovations required to drive the accelerated maturation and adoption of transformative advanced manufacturing technologies.

The report focuses on the importance of a learning culture and how manufacturers are developing a “smart” workforce to drive business results. Corporate leadership must understand the benefits of smart manufacturing and the importance of creating and implementing a talent strategy: Employing a system to codify knowledge and skills required for job roles, aligned with training curriculum and tied to business goals.

To download the report, please visit sme.org/smartmfg3

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If you have questions about the press release or need additional information, please contact SME Public Relations at communications@sme.org.