Dan's Biz Bookshelf: 'Revenge of the Tipping Point'
Marcy's Musings: Engineering Economics
Punching Out: Should You Sell Your Company to a Private Equity Firm?
April 2022 Issue of PCB007 Magazine Available Now
April 18, 2022 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
For the past few years, industry analysts have been talking about the need for fabricators to “upskill” their employees to be ready for the technologies of tomorrow. The Smart factory and Industry 4.0—not to mention the ramping-up of AI—are just a few reasons that your staff members really need to be continuing their education throughout their careers.
But upskilling is more than a fancy-sounding idea. In today’s labor market, fabrication management may not have any other alternatives than to make the best of the employees they have right now. That, and pray that none of the subject matter experts retire in the meantime.
It's certainly a good time to be adding tools to your toolbox of skills. As the Smart factory and Industry 4.0 lead the drive to replace more humans with technology, the need for humans who are trained to manage AI-optimized systems will increase exponentially. A lot of the software used to fabricate and assemble PCBs contains AI or machine learning—it just operates in the background, learning as it works.
But what's the best way to upskill your employees? Several managers we spoke with said that they don’t have time to take staff off the shop floor for training sessions. Your best bet is to incentivize employees to continue their education and training on their own time, but how do you make that happen?
This is advice you’ll turn to again and again.
Preview or download your PDF copy today on the virtual newsstand or subscribe here for delivery in your e-mailbox.
Share on:
Suggested Items
It’s Only Common Sense: Want to Succeed? Stay in Your Lane
10/28/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseIn today’s busy world, there are so many things going on, that it’s easy to get distracted. We live in an era of constant comparison and nonstop disruption. Everyone’s talking about the latest technology, the economy’s twists and turns, globalization, or how Company X is doing something you’re not. But here’s the thing: None of that matters if you’re not focused on your path. I’m going to say it straight: Stay in your lane. It’s the only way you’ll ever find success in business and life.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/18/2024 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineOccasionally, I’ll intentionally select items for this list that follow a theme. Sometimes, as they did this week, themes assert themselves. The component supply chain and sourcing seem to dominate our coverage this week. We’ve got an update from IPC Government Relations, an interview with counterfeiting watchdog ERAI, the 10 global sourcing rules, a course on AI and machine learning in the EMS sector, and warehouse management.
It’s Only Common Sense: Motivate Your Team by Giving Them What They Crave
10/14/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseThe business world is teeming with challenges, and whether you’re in manufacturing, service, or technology, one universal truth holds steady: people are the backbone of any successful operation. If you’re not tapping into what your people crave, you’re missing a massive opportunity. It’s not just about salary or benefits anymore; it’s about something deeper, something that Gregg Lederman outlines perfectly in his book, "Crave: You Can Enhance Employee Motivation in 10 Minutes by Friday."
BMKyourproto, Luminovo Revolutionize Technical Customer Communication
09/25/2024 | BMKFor the past three years, the prototype service of Augsburg-based EMS company BMK and Munich-based software firm Luminovo have been working closely together to enhance communication between BMK and its customers.
It’s Only Common Sense: Selling PCBs Isn’t That Hard, Is It?
09/09/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseSelling PCBs is a bit like playing chess; every move matters and the endgame is always about delivering value. If you've been in this business as long as me, you know that it’s not just about pushing product. It’s about understanding what the customer needs and how to meet those needs better than anyone else. Let’s be honest: Selling PCBs is no easy task. The market is competitive; the technology is complex, and the customers are demanding. But if you’ve got the right mindset and a few key strategies up your sleeve, success is within your reach.