The manufacturing industry in North America is undergoing its fourth evolution into a high-technology, digitalized, and data-driven industry. This Industry 4.0 period began long before the COVID-19 pandemic affected global society but has been accelerated in response to many of the challenges associated with it. In this report, we examine and explore the current manufacturing industry in North America and the challenges and opportunities it faces as adoption of Industry 4.0 thinking, tools, standards, and processes becomes more widespread.
The manufacturing industry in North America is undergoing its fourth evolution into a high-technology, digitalized, and data-driven industry. This Industry 4.0 period began long before the COVID-19 pandemic affected global society but has been accelerated in response to many of the challenges associated with it. In this report, we examine and explore the current manufacturing industry in North America and the challenges and opportunities it faces as adoption of Industry 4.0 thinking, tools, standards, and processes becomes more widespread.
About the Event
The industry-changing impacts of Industry 4.0 advancements can only be fully realized when there are corresponding changes in the manufacturing workforce. These impacts are likely to be seen and experienced in terms of changes to the design of manufacturing work, the manufacturing worker experience, and critical worker knowledge, skill, ability, and competency requirements. The positive impacts of Industry 4.0 technologies on manufacturing will only be realized if the existing workforce can be reskilled and retained.
EVENT WILL START IN
Keynote Presenter
2026 CONFERENCE AGENDA
(Speaker list is being continuously updated.)
Register & Networking
9:00am
Registration & Networking
9:30am
Welcome
FEATURED PRESENTATION
9:45am
The (New) Collar Worker Job Requirements
Industry 4.0 technology and process advancements will change the nature of many manufacturing jobs to the point that most workers will need to possess a combination of specific skills, attributes and characteristics. Learn what to look for and develop in emerging and existing talent. The information presented in this session is from research by the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Industrial Organizational Psychology Master’s degree program and commissioned by the Smart Factory Institute.
Dr. Chris Cunningham
UC Foundation Professor of Psychology, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Director, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Graduate Program Director, UTC
FOCUS GROUP WORKSHOPS
10:45am
Managing the New Collar Worker in an Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Environment
Be part of focus groups that will look at how manufacturers can recruit, train, and retain talent. Groups will tackle topics such as recruiting and selection, training and development, evaluating and managing performance, and motivating and retaining talent.
Break
12:00pm
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
12:30pm
Hear insights on state initiatives aimed at cultivating new talent for the manufacturing industry and receive valuable guidance in the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and retention.
CAREER CONNECTION PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1:15PM
Pathways to Success: Navigating Careers in Manufacturing
1:45PM
Career Development and Growth
