--- title: The Future Factory: Mapping the Skills That Will Power Manufacturing description: Technical disruption is contributing to a Manufacturing Skills Revolution. Almost half of all roles in manufacturing (49%) will need to change within the next three-to-five years as the industry transitions to become fully digital. Download The Future Factory for the full story. image: https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/ManpowerGroup%20LinkedIn%20Digital%20Leaders%20Q3%20Future%20Factory.jpg --- [![ManpowerGroup Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ManpowerGroup%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background.png?width=150&height=27&name=ManpowerGroup%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background.png "ManpowerGroup Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background")](https://manpowergroup.com) [![Manpower Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background-2](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Manpower%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background-2.png?width=150&height=28&name=Manpower%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background-2.png "Manpower Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background-2")](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/manpower) [![Experis Logo Horizontal Transparent](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experis%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Transparent.png?width=100&height=37&name=Experis%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Transparent.png "Experis Logo Horizontal Transparent")](https://www.experis.com) [![ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions Reduced Size Web Horizontal Logo for Black Background](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ManpowerGroup%20Talent%20Solutions%20Reduced%20Size%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Black%20Background.png?width=150&height=31&name=ManpowerGroup%20Talent%20Solutions%20Reduced%20Size%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Black%20Background.png "ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions Reduced Size Web Horizontal Logo for Black Background")](https://talentsolutions.manpowergroup.com) [![JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4.png?width=150&height=30&name=JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4.png "JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4")](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/jefferson-wells) Insights # The Future Factory: Mapping the Skills That Will Power Manufacturing - September 23, 2020 - | - [innovation](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/innovation), - [workforce solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/workforce-solutions), - [Manpower](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower), - [human resources](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/human-resources), - [Industry Solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/industry-solutions), - [Manufacturing](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manufacturing) - | - 2 min read ![Rebekah Kowalski](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/Brands/ManpowerGroup%20Solutions/Email%20Images/Rebekah_Kowalski_webinar_speaker.png) [ Rebekah Kowalski ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/author/rebekah-kowalski) SHARE | - - - Home 1. [ManpowerGroup Insights](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights) 2. The Future Factory: Mapping the Skills That Will Power Manufacturing MANUFACTURING HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE VANGUARD OF TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION > "Against the backdrop of an existing skills shortage and with skills needs evolving so rapidly, employers can no longer go to market to buy new skills when they want them. They need to become builders of talent to develop a workforce with the skills they need to remain competitive. Talent is the most renewable resource on our planet: ready to learn, adapt and thrive in new environments." > > ***Rebekah Kowalski*** > *Vice President of Manpower North America* --- Technical disruption is contributing to a Manufacturing Skills Revolution. Almost half of all roles in manufacturing (49%) will need to change within the next three-to-five years as the industry transitions to become fully digital. Digitization, automation and transformation are impacting every industry, disrupting skills and creating new jobs. Manufacturing is the vanguard, with new roles appearing as fast as others become obsolete. Manufacturers are reporting growing talent shortages as they struggle to find the right blend of technical and soft skills to fill new positions. The catalyst for the early stages of this skills shift was automation – machine strength. Now sector-wide transformation has been turbocharged by the Internet of Things, the digitally connected enterprise, the relentless expansion of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to handle the scope of the challenge – machine thinking. To find practical solutions to this skills shortage and ensure up to 2 million new manufacturing jobs do not go unfilled,1 ManpowerGroup and MxD convened more than 30 academic, government and industry partners including Siemens, Microsoft, Caterpillar and General Electric to create an industry-recognized taxonomy that defines digital manufacturing roles of the future. The groundbreaking workforce analysis, developed in partnership with MxD (formerly the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute) provides the first taxonomy of its kind, outlining skills and roles of the future and serving as a practical toolkit for manufacturing organizations. The industry’s transition to full digitization is already well underway and accelerating daily. This paper maps the trends reshaping manufacturing, identifies the skills and roles needed, and outlines how a culture of innovation and effective leadership will be critical to success as companies transform. **Key Takeaways** • Digital transformation requires new skills, new roles and new approaches to leadership. • Companies need new approaches to upskill people at speed and at scale to develop the talent they need to remain competitive. • The right blend of technology, people and skills is key. To read this groundbreaking workforce analysis, complete this brief form to [**download your copy of The Future Factory report.**](https://web.manpowergroup.us/future-factory) - [innovation](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/innovation), - [workforce solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/workforce-solutions), - [Manpower](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower), - [human resources](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/human-resources), - [Industry Solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/industry-solutions), - [Manufacturing](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manufacturing) MANUFACTURING HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE VANGUARD OF TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION "Against the backdrop of an existing skills shortage and with skills needs evolving so rapidly, employers can no longer go to market to buy new skills when they want them. They need to become builders of talent to develop a workforce with the skills they need to remain competitive. Talent is the most renewable resource on our planet: ready to learn, adapt and thrive in new environments." Rebekah Kowalski Vice President of Manpower North America Technical disruption is contributing to a Manufacturing Skills Revolution. Almost half of all roles in manufacturing (49%) will need to change within the next three-to-five years as the industry transitions to become fully digital. Digitization, automation and transformation are impacting every industry, disrupting skills and creating new jobs. Manufacturing is the vanguard, with new roles appearing as fast as others become obsolete. Manufacturers are reporting growing talent shortages as they struggle to find the right blend of technical and soft skills to fill new positions. The catalyst for the early stages of this skills shift was automation – machine strength. Now sector-wide transformation has been turbocharged by the Internet of Things, the digitally connected enterprise, the relentless expansion of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to handle the scope of the challenge – machine thinking. To find practical solutions to this skills shortage and ensure up to 2 million new manufacturing jobs do not go unfilled,1 ManpowerGroup and MxD convened more than 30 academic, government and industry partners including Siemens, Microsoft, Caterpillar and General Electric to create an industry-recognized taxonomy that defines digital manufacturing roles of the future. The groundbreaking workforce analysis, developed in partnership with MxD (formerly the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute) provides the first taxonomy of its kind, outlining skills and roles of the future and serving as a practical toolkit for manufacturing organizations. The industry’s transition to full digitization is already well underway and accelerating daily. This paper maps the trends reshaping manufacturing, identifies the skills and roles needed, and outlines how a culture of innovation and effective leadership will be critical to success as companies transform. Key Takeaways • Digital transformation requires new skills, new roles and new approaches to leadership. • Companies need new approaches to upskill people at speed and at scale to develop the talent they need to remain competitive. • The right blend of technology, people and skills is key. To read this groundbreaking workforce analysis, complete this brief form to download your copy of The Future Factory report. ** ** ## Download the full report  To read this groundbreaking workforce analysis, [**download your copy of The Future Factory report.**](https://web.manpowergroup.us/future-factory) --- ###### PREVIOUS STORY [** Creative Thinking Required: Business Success Could Depend on How You Support Employees and Families Right Now ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/creative-thinking-required-for-employees-families) [**](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights) ###### NEXT STORY [Outside the Lines: New Approaches to Today's Extraordinary Workforce Challenges ** ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/outside-the-lines-new-approaches-to-todays-extraordinary-workforce-challenges) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Manpower [![America’s Hottest Jobs: How you can get in on the Skilled Technical Revolution](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MP_SkilledTechTempPermBanner10_5_22%20(1).jpg?length=800&name=MP_SkilledTechTempPermBanner10_5_22%20(1).jpg) ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/how-you-can-get-in-on-the-skilled-technical-revolution) [Emerging Insights](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/emerging-insights), [workforce solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/workforce-solutions), [Manpower](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower), [Industry Solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/industry-solutions), [Manufacturing](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manufacturing), [Manpower Skilled Technical](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower-skilled-technical) ### [ America’s Hottest Jobs: How you can get in on the Skilled Technical Revolution ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/how-you-can-get-in-on-the-skilled-technical-revolution) October 10, 2022 While the manufacturing world is zooming full speed ahead, that doesn’t mean machines are taking over. Of the fastest... [![The Changing Face of Manufacturing: Why Skilled Technical Talent Is the Key to Growth and How to Win the Race for That Talent](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MP_SkilledTechHeader1600x600_Caroline.jpg?length=800&name=MP_SkilledTechHeader1600x600_Caroline.jpg) ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/the-changing-face-of-manufacturing-why-skilled-technical-talent-is-key) [Emerging Insights](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/emerging-insights), [workforce solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/workforce-solutions), [Manpower](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower), [Industry Solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/industry-solutions), [Manufacturing](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manufacturing), [Manpower Skilled Technical](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower-skilled-technical) ### [ The Changing Face of Manufacturing: Why Skilled Technical Talent Is the Key to Growth and How to Win the Race for That Talent ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/the-changing-face-of-manufacturing-why-skilled-technical-talent-is-key) April 20, 2022 Manufacturing has changed — and it continues to change — opening up new opportunities for the skilled technical talent... [![What's with the technician shortage? (And what you can do about it)](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MP_SkilledTechTempPermBannerC10_7_22.jpg?length=800&name=MP_SkilledTechTempPermBannerC10_7_22.jpg) ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/whats-with-the-technician-shortage) [Emerging Insights](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/emerging-insights), [workforce solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/workforce-solutions), [Manpower](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower), [Industry Solutions](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/industry-solutions), [Manufacturing](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manufacturing), [Manpower Skilled Technical](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpower-skilled-technical) ### [ What's with the technician shortage? (And what you can do about it) ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/whats-with-the-technician-shortage) October 10, 2022 I hear it in meetings and at industry conferences; with both our longstanding and new customers - there's a shortage of... ManpowerGroup Insights ### Subscribe by Email ## Comments [![ManpowerGroup](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/DMP_CA/footer-manpowergroup-logo.svg "ManpowerGroup")](https://manpowergroup.com/) [![Manpower](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/DMP_CA/footer-manpower-logo.svg "Manpower")](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/manpower) [![Experis](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/DMP_CA/footer-experis-logo.svg "Experis")](https://www.experis.com) [![TS](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TS_Logo_RGB_STK_dark_bkgrnd-1.png?width=1028&height=1335&name=TS_Logo_RGB_STK_dark_bkgrnd-1.png "TS")](https://talentsolutions.manpowergroup.com/) ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions – creates substantial value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2026 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 15th year – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent. By using this website, you consent to the real-time collection, storage, use and sharing of information on your device or provided by you (such as mouse movements and clicks) by ManpowerGroup Inc. and/or its third-party providers. © 2026 ManpowerGroup - all rights reserved. | [Terms of Use ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/terms-of-use)   |    [Accessibility Policy ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/accessibility-policy)   |    [Cookie Policy](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/cookie-policy)   |    [Privacy Policy ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) |  [North America Privacy Policy](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/policies/north-america) [![TRUSTe](https://privacy-policy.truste.com/privacy-seal/seal?rid=e835f694-01d1-4f5a-8afc-92a721acff1d)](https://privacy.truste.com/privacy-seal/validation?rid=e835f694-01d1-4f5a-8afc-92a721acff1d) [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/256121737834) [Follow us on Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/2312083) [Follow us on Instagram ](https://instagram.com/manpowerus)