Careers in Advanced Automation

Advanced automation is a trend which is only set to accelerate, and even faster now companies will not only attempt to optimise their manufacturing processes to reduce cost but also limit human involvement which has proved so difficult during the Covid pandemic.  These aims lead to increased automation, including the advanced robotic and vision systems we are now encountering.

Jeff Chapman has his own recruitment consultancy specialising in advanced automation, and discusses his unique insight during an interview on the Robot Nation podcast (Chapman, 2020).

His observations are relevant to both engineers seeking employment in the industry, and to employers. The employment market is changing, with job seekers now able to easily research a company online, build a good understanding of the organisation, including the products and services it offers, its current business  position, and even how employees who work their rate the company and it's working environment.

In the manufacturing industry 20 or more years ago, there perhaps was an attitude that interviewees would be lucky to be employed and privileged to work at a company, and then expected to work 9 to 5 every day. Young millennials have seen their parents work hard in this way, and how society is changing, and now expect a more flexible approach from employers. There is an expectation of a better work/home life balance, with home-working where possible proving increasingly attractive. Home-working has been proven possible during the pandemic, and the tools are now available to support this.

During the interview process, all staff must present a consistent and very positive message about working at a company ( which naturally we hope to be true.) A position should be clearly explained, along with how performance will be measured, career progression pathways, and support for continuing professional development.

Key skills required in the industry are for engineers who can get a machine up and running, who can program vision systems and robots – skills which are only set to increase in demand.

 

References

Chapman, J. (2020) Jeff Chapman Talent in Automation and Robotics, Robot Nation, 25 May 2020 [Podcast]. Accessible at https://open.spotify.com/episode/2QoQxKOnPtm5yRRE1HQ7Gl (Accessed 25 June 2020)