Executives from robot suppliers, end-users and policy-making will draw a picture of the future of work in the factory and discuss what it takes to support the current and next generation workforce with the proper skills and develop a culture of lifelong learning.

With the online format automatica Talk, Messe Munich is expanding its digital presence of automatica. Top-class experts as well as automation suppliers and users illuminate current issues and trends around robotics and automation in each episode. In the next edition on December 8, 2020 from 13:00 to 14:30 CET, automatica Talk will represent the IFR Executive Roundtable. The focus of the English-language panel discussion is on the topic:

Next generation workforce - upskilling for robotics

Increasing needs for flexibility and resilience of production as well as an urge towards more energy and resource efficiency are currently driving automation. This trend is even speeding up with the coronavirus pandemic.

Increased robot adoption provides also great benefits for the manufacturing workers, by creating new, interesting roles with new skills profiles. With further advances in robotics this trend will continue over the next 10 and more years.

However, there is already today a shortage of properly skilled manufacturing workers – and if no action is taken, this shortage will further increase and hamper the competitiveness of this important industry sector. Manufacturers, education institutes and governments must collaborate to promote attractive career paths in manufacturing especially for young people.

The Panel

• Jeff Burnstein, President of Robotics Industries Association (RIA)
• Mike Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America
• Felix Rohn, Policy Officer at European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion
• Anna Byhovskaya, Senior Policy Advisor of TUAC (The Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD)

To whom is this session addressed?

To users and suppliers of automation technology who are interested in how the impending shortage of skilled workers in production can be averted and / or who would like to find out more about future job profiles in production.

You missed the live discussion?

Please follow the recorded discussion on the automatica webpage.