Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap with eLearning Solutions

In the manufacturing industry, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work due to the diverse needs that training has to fulfill. If this is left unaddressed, it can lead to a widening skills gap that will, in turn, lead to repercussions like low productivity, reduced operational efficiency, high employee turnover, etc. Custom eLearning solutions cover every aspect that needs to be addressed in the industry, providing tailored training across the industry and roles. By leveraging eLearning to upskill and reskill the manufacturing workforce, companies can stay competitive and continue to grow. In this blog, we explore the causes of the skills gap in manufacturing and how to bridge them with eLearning.

What is the Cause of Manufacturing Skills Gap?

Before delving into how eLearning addresses the manufacturing skills gap, we should address the elephant in the room: the challenges that are causing it. There are several root causes for the lag in skills, such as changing technologies, demographics, perceptions, and more. Different roles, departments, and geographies require different types of learning experiences, and online training for manufacturing workforce is proving to be an effective solution to this pressing issue. Here are some significant challenges contributing to this skills gap:

Low Employee Retention

The manufacturing industry relies on Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and experienced employees to perform critical tasks, leaving little room for frontline workers to grow. This can make them feel demotivated or unsatisfied with their jobs, leading them to quit. The more employees quit, the more new workforce needs to be hired. While hiring new employees may not be much of a challenge, training and upskilling them is certainly a problem. It’s important to train employees with a skills-based approach to help them grow and feel motivated to stay.

The Digital Shift

What if we told you that one of the major reasons for the manufacturing skills gap is digital transformation, but with the same digitalization you can also bridge the gap? Reluctance to adopt new technologies such as automated processes, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT), creates a significant gap in the skilled workforce. Digital learning solutions like custom eLearning solutions can help train employees with evolving advancements.

Aging Workforce

While SMEs have spent years building knowledge and gaining experience, they will have to eventually, and when they do, they take their expertise with them. Senior employees must ensure that there is knowledge sharing with fellow workers and more acceptance of new technologies. With the right guidance and tools, a smooth transition can take place, minimizing disruption after their retirement.

Reluctance to Join Forces

The younger generation of today are reluctant to work in this sector due to lack of clarity on what processes and operations the manufacturing industry involves. The assumption that manufacturing jobs demand a labor-intensive workforce comes from watching their parents and grandparents, where they had to work long hours and in very challenging conditions. With time, this situation has drastically changed, and eLearning is helping this transition further.

How to bridge the manufacturing skills gap with eLearning?

Now that we have addressed the challenges holding back the manufacturing industry, let’s take a look into how eLearning can bridge the skills gap:

Personalized Training

Create tailored learning experiences for your workforce based on their needs, compliance regulations, safety protocols, and industry trends. You can make learning more appealing with features such as gamification, scenario-based learning, leaderboards, and more. When learning is more personalized, learners can grasp information quickly, reducing the skills gap with timely application of knowledge.

Implement Learning Platforms

Learning platforms allow the workforce, tied up with tasks on the shopfloor, to access on-demand courses at their own pace, anytime, anywhere. This will ensure that employees have higher completion rates and higher productivity.

Cross-Training Programs

Encourage your workforce to learn different processes involved in manufacturing to ensure that they are aware of the big picture. If a situation arises where an employee is required to switch teams or change roles, they would already have the foundational knowledge about their work without having to be trained from scratch.

Certifications for Added Credibility

It is a known fact that certifications add more credibility to a person’s skills. Through eLearning, employees can not only upskill themselves but also prove their expertise and add to their career growth with certifications relevant to their job roles.

Microlearning for Balancing the Time Crunch

Shorter, bite-sized videos make completing courses easier for the workforce. Microlearning helps balance learning with hectic work schedules without falling behind.

Benefits of Implementing eLearning in Manufacturing Training

Explore the benefits of eLearning in the manufacturing industry:

Relevant Upskilling

As mentioned earlier, eLearning helps provide workforce with personalized training paths, giving them more knowledge-rich and relevant learning experiences. It also enables assessment of individual progress while catering to the needs of all roles.

Flexibility in Learning

The best eLearning solutions will make sure that training is accessible and flexible. Employees working for long hours in a hectic shift-based system may hardly find time to complete courses. Custom eLearning solutions offer the advantage of learning anytime at their own pace.

Cost-Effective Solution

With eLearning solutions in the picture, businesses and industries no longer have to worry about investing heavily in employee training programs. eLearning is a more cost-effective way to train a large group of employees.

Continuous Learning

The manufacturing industry requires continuous learning and upskilling, and organizations that provide continuous learning opportunities have more motivated employees. Building a culture of continuous learning keeps them engaged, giving them a sense of confidence and satisfaction.

Tracking and Analytics

Online training for manufacturing industry workforce allows the processing of real-time data analytics and detailed reports with individual performance metrics. This helps improve training programs and drive improved outcomes.

Now that you have explored the benefits of how eLearning helps address the skills gap, take a closer look at how it improves efficiency in our blog, “How eLearning Improves Workforce Efficiency in the Manufacturing Industry.”

The Role of Industry 4.0 in Closing Skills Gap

The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, is where the heart of manufacturing currently is. The adoption of new technologies such as AI, IoT, and digital solutions to simplify operations, processes, and training programs is propelling the industry towards better productivity and growth. From bridging the manufacturing skills gap with eLearning and using big data for reporting and analytics to using cybersecurity against digital threats, Industry 4.0 is undoubtedly playing an important part in closing skill gaps.

Conclusion

The future of manufacturing workforce training is in skilled employees, which can be achieved through efficient learning programs. If you are looking for an eLearning company to fit all your training needs, you’re in the right place. Novac Technology Solutions offers custom eLearning solutions for manufacturing training and various industries alike. From creating custom content and pre-built courses to a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS), we are dedicated to creating the best learning experiences for you.

Take the first step towards creating a more skilled and motivated workforce!

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