-Catherine Lye, CEO, Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa

Having arrived late to the viewing of the latest Netflix series, “Drive to Survive,” I couldn’t help but notice the striking parallels between Formula One and our manufacturing/engineering industry.

Both embody precision engineering, composites, CNC Machining, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and, crucially, teamwork.  Manufacturing is a team sport.

Across manufacturing, achieving industry “fit for purpose” embodies the essential quest to align skills with the sector’s dynamic purpose-driven landscape.  This necessitates a concerted effort towards upskilling the workforce, ensuring that competencies seamlessly merge with the industry’s fast-changing needs and objectives.

Whether embracing advanced technologies, sustainable practices, or fostering innovation, being “fit” demands a workforce adept at navigating the intricate demands of a purpose-driven business.

From mastering cutting-edge machinery to embracing sustainable production methods, the journey towards industry fitness entails a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

Ultimately, by cultivating a workforce equipped with the right skills and mindset, manufacturing can assert its relevance, efficacy, and sustainability in fulfilling its broader purpose within the global economy – economic development, driving productivity, employment, a vehicle for social development, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

 Fostering innovation and technological advancement, acting as a catalyst for progress across various sectors, driving growth and enhancing societal well-being on a local, regional and global scale.

We must reimagine manufacturing for the next generation.  They are the future drivers of our factories.  Younger people are seeking problems to solve.

You hear stories about them wanting to be YouTube SuperStars, Influencers, but they are just as serious as well as anyone else about earning good money and doing what they can to change and make a difference in the world.

Manufacturing presents an intriguing and interesting career choice for them – a change to innovate and solve problems in new ways.

To ensure industry competitiveness, we must invest significantly in skills, schools and curriculum.  This includes preparing individuals for future challenges and opportunities, fostering curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, unlearn, relearn. 

Experience is no longer the sole criteria; adaptability and modern workplace skills are paramount.

Explaining the concept of industry and its new jobs to students is challenging.  Yet, by opening the doors of industry and allowing pupils to interact with the industrial environment, we reveal its diverse possibilities and opportunities, including engaging with digital technologies.

While technology certainly plays a significant role in modern manufacturing, it’s not replacing people but rather augmenting their capabilities and improving efficiency.

Automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other technological advancements have transformed many aspects of manufacturing, streamlining processes, increasing productivity, and enhancing product quality. However, these technologies still require human oversight, intervention, and creativity to operate effectively.

In fact, as technology advances, the need for skilled workers who can understand, operate, and maintain these sophisticated systems becomes even more critical. Workers with expertise in areas such as programming, data analysis, and robotics are in high demand in today’s manufacturing sector.

Moreover, human workers bring qualities such as adaptability, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence to the table—qualities that are difficult for machines to replicate. They are essential for handling unexpected challenges, collaborating with colleagues, and providing personalized attention to customers.

Overall, while technology has undoubtedly changed the manufacturing landscape, people remain indispensable to the industry’s success.

It’s about finding the right balance between leveraging technological advancements and harnessing the unique abilities of human workers to drive innovation and competitiveness in manufacturing.

The government has set an ambitious goal of doubling export value over the next ten years.  The manufacturing sector contributes 60% to New Zealand’s total export value.  To double export value, we must focus on smart innovation, smart technology, and nurturing smart individuals.

Smart innovation involves reimagining products and services with efficiency and sustainability in mind.  Smart technology integrates cutting-edge solutions like AI, automation, IOT to streamline processes and improve competitiveness.

However,  the true catalyst lies in fostering smart individuals – entrepreneurs, engineers, skilled workers – who drive transformation forward with their expertise, creativity and adaptability.  Together they propel the exponential growth necessary to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling export value.

Join Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa and Hanga Aro Rau at EMEX – the morning of 28^th May – as we lead a panel discussion with Sarah Ramsay – CEO, United Machinists, Les Roa – Director, Longveld, Dion Orbell – Chief People Officer, Buckley Systems and Laurie Kubiak – CEO, Nautech Electronics.

The focus will be on innovation of workforce development the learning challenge:  How do we build a solution that takes people on this journey and prepares them for something that isn’t even here yet?

Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa will be situated in the EMEX 2024 Innovation Quarter on Stand 1011.  I look forward to meeting you 28^th – 30^th May.