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.
[ Featured Presentation ]
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.
EVENT WILL START IN
2022 CONFERENCE AGENDA
OPENING
9:00am
Registration & Networking
9:30am
Welcome & Opening Comments
Denise Rice, President & CEO, Peak Performance Inc. (Operators of the Smart Factory Institute)
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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 Industrial-Organizational Psychology, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
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Mary Beth Hudson, Executive Consulting Director of Smart Factory Institute, Peak Performance Inc. (Operators of the Smart Factory Institute)
Denise Rice, President & CEO, Peak Performance Inc. (Operators of the Smart Factory Institute)
FOCUS GROUP WORKSHOPS
11:00am
Accommodating the Non-Traditional Manufacturing Worker
Be part of focus groups that will look at how manufacturers can accommodate the non-traditional manufacturing worker such as women, disabled-workers, and Spanish speaking workers. These focus groups will also look at recruiting, onboarding, and retention for these non-traditional groups.
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University of Tennessee Chattanooga Industrial Organizational Psychology Students
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11:30am
Workshop Report Outs
BREAK
12:00pm
LUNCH
SESSION I
12:30pm
The Future of Manufacturing, Distribution, and Logistics
Today's manufacturing and distribution businesses need flexibility to respond to changing labor demands. This session will present the 'Labor Pool' model which allows businesses to 'variablize' labor costs in small increments. This lets them increase costs only as their output increase, which empowers businesses to scale while maintaining a lower and more constant cost structure.
Wes Wood, Workforce Partnerships Lead, Southeast, Veryable
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PANEL DISCUSSION
1:00pm
Business Leaders' Guide to Diversity & Inclusion
Moderated by: Kayla Shugart, Director of Development, United Way
While organizations are developing diversity and inclusion initiatives at different paces, it is clear that these initiatives are increasingly becoming embedded into organizations as a core business goal. Securing and retaining talent becomes more challenging in a tight labor market and organizations are striving to cultivate innovation through building a more diverse workforce.
Teri Cassem, Human Resources Director Charleston, WACKER
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Heather Canada Smith, VP of Human Resources, HR Compliance & Admin, Shaw Industries
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Melanie Silva, Chief of Staff, Hinton and Company
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PANEL DISCUSSION
2:00pm
Strategies to Enhance Your Talent and Capabilities
Moderated by: Stephanie Linkous, Chief Executive Officer, United Way
To combat the tight labor market, successful manufacturers will become creative in the opportunities and messages they present to current and potential employees. Emphasizing the ways in which workers can grow and flourish, including micro-credentialing, earn-and-learn programs, and opportunities to earn credentials will help create retention and loyalty among existing and new employees.
Teri Cassem, Human Resources Director Charleston, WACKER
Denise Rice, President & CEO, Peak Performance Inc.
CLOSING
2:30pm
PIE Innovation Center Tour
Kyle Page, Property Manager of PIE Center, Bradley County Schools
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