With rising AI and automation, manufacturing leaders must ready their workforce for a future of change. Planning ahead boosts efficiency, productivity, modernization, and employee engagement.
In 2024, 73% of manufacturing managers expected their jobs to change due to automation, up 2% from 2023. Conversely, only 53% of workers anticipated job changes in 2024, marking an 11% decrease from the previous year. This decline suggests that workers are becoming less concerned about automation’s immediate impact on their roles, possibly due to a reduction in AI-related fears or a growing understanding of how automation can enhance rather than replace their work. Managers, closer to decision-making, remain more attuned to these shifts.
Automation
39% of manufacturing workers reported an increase in turnover according to our 2024 survey, a 6% decrease from 2023. Conversely, the percentage of managers noting increased turnover surged from 22% in 2023 to 47% in 2024, a significant 25% jump. This divergence highlights differing perceptions or experiences with workforce stability, suggesting that while workers may feel slightly more secure, managers are increasingly concerned about retaining talent.
Turnover Increasing