Solving manufacturing’s labour crunch: Why job quality and collaborative robots must go hand-in-hand
In this article, Dr. Melinda Laundon, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Human-Robot Workforce Program at the Australian Cobotics Centre, explores the critical workforce challenges facing Australia’s manufacturing sector and the role collaborative robots (Cobots) can play in addressing them.
Dr. Laundon’s research, based on interviews with 23 senior stakeholders, identifies three key issues contributing to manufacturing workforce shortages: low relative pay, concerns about job security due to automation, and outdated working conditions. To address these challenges, the study recommends improving job quality through upskilling in areas like robotics and digital technologies, using Cobots to reduce physical strain and automate repetitive tasks, and involving workers in technology integration to build trust and enhance roles. While these strategies align with national Industry 4.0 goals, implementing them can be difficult for SMEs, highlighting the need for accessible training, support from industry bodies, and a refreshed narrative that promotes manufacturing as a future-focused, tech-enabled career.
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Solving manufacturing’s labour crunch: Why job quality and collaborative robots must go hand-in-handA FREE MICROCREDENTIAL by Weld Australia
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