Building a Future Ready and Agile Workforce in the Digital Era of Manufacturing
Published on : Saturday 05-08-2023
As the manufacturing industry embraces new-age technologies, building the right skills will be crucial for a successful transformation, says Shajee Kozhukkunnon.
Over the last decade, the manufacturing industry is moving forward leaps and bounds towards digital transformation. Indian manufacturers have begun to move towards Industry 4.0 at a rapid pace. The growing complexity in manufacturing is one of the biggest drivers for this shift. Traditional techniques for design and testing often fall short of meeting the level of complexity that new-age products demand.
Take the case of automobiles. To design a better vehicle, engineers must perform complex multiphysics simulations to analyse multi-physics problems and mixed fluid-particle interactions. Unlike traditional manufacturing where automotive companies typically produce 50 to 100 prototypes of a particular vehicle, before commercialising them, smart manufacturing can reduce this number to 10% or less. Not only does this reduce the margin of error and improve overall operational efficiency, but it can also save on expenses, considering that the cost of prototypes is huge.
The pandemic was another factor in accelerating the shift to digitisation and automation since they became critical to ensuring business continuity. The disruption served as an opportunity to closely examine processes and relook at operations to optimise them for the future. Manufacturers are more receptive to bringing intelligence and cognitive learning approaches to the manufacturing process to ensure continuous learning and incremental improvements.
The engineering convergence jumpstarted by the pandemic will play an instrumental role in enabling smart mobility solutions as well as smart design and manufacturing, thereby taking us towards a smarter and better future.
Enabling the shift with the right skills
A World Economic Forum report predicts that by 2025, the shift in the division of labour between machines and humans could displace as many as 85 million jobs. At the same time, this shift could create 97 million new roles, driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, machine learning and robotics. The new-age technologies that are shaping the future of manufacturing require new-age skills to fully leverage their benefits.
However, this requires some drastic changes in the curriculum as well as the pedagogy of education, especially technical education. A National Employability Report for Engineering from 2019 found that 80% of Indian engineers lack the relevant digital skills that the companies require.
An India Skills Report found that only 49% of Indian youth are employable. This is causing a persistent demand-supply gap, which is only set to worsen. As per a Nasscom report, the demand-supply gap in technology is set to multiply 3.5 times by 2026. In fact, a 2022 survey by Deloittelisted ‘labour and skill shortages’ as the second-most cited external factor disrupting business strategy.
Industry-academia collaboration is crucial
Industry players have a central role to play when it comes to facilitating comprehensive training programs to help students and aspiring candidates become industry-ready. Hexagon, for example, offers a variety of training options tailored to enable academia to acquire the skills in demand and pursue their goals in the field.
1. Visualizing EngineeringTM
Automobile and Aerospace OEMs often complain that many fresh graduates lack an understanding of the basic concepts of engineering that they are expected to study during the first few semesters. Visualizing EngineeringTM from Hexagon helps to bridge this gap with a holistic learning experience as an extension to theoretical learning and experimentation. This can help the students build strong fundamentals in core engineering subjects by visualising the otherwise boring mathematical formulae. For example, topics such as the Theory of Machines, Dynamics of Machines, Strength of Materials, Machine Design, Heat and Mass Transfer, Hydraulics and Fluid Dynamics, etc., can be learned with a thorough understanding of the concept and its application in the real world using Hexagon’s Visualizing EngineeringTM.
Hexagon has provided its Visualizing EngineeringTM solution to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) by mapping its syllabus for its mechanical engineering course. The program is rolled out in around 100 colleges affiliated with the university. As part of the program, Hexagon mapped various engineering topics from the third semester to the eighth semester to equip students to take up industry relevant projects in their final semesters. Students and faculty also get access to some of the world’s most widely used and accepted software solutions, in Multibody Dynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Structural and Acoustics analysis from Hexagon.
2. Center of Excellence (COE)
Centre of Excellence labs in colleges provide students with hands-on experience in a specific industry. In addition to industry-relevant skills and experiential learning, these centres can also provide students with opportunities to network with other professionals in their industry. This can lead to new job opportunities, collaborations, and valuable connections. Students also have an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the industry or field and prepare for real-world situations. Hexagon is focussing on two of the most sought-after areas, viz., CoE on Electrical Vehicles and CoE on Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0.
Hexagon recently set up a Center of Excellence (COE) with MGM University, a self-financed State University, approved by the Government of Maharashtra. This CoE, focussed on Electrical Vehicles and Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 includes various labs that help students to have a complete understanding of various technologies employed in the industrial world and insight into processes followed on a real factory shop floor. The institute and surrounding MSMEs hugely benefitted to have the facility with the latest technologies which otherwise they cannot afford.
3. Skilling for MSMEs
In addition to academic institutes, the industry can also partner with small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing space to upskill them to be competitive locally and globally. Keeping this in mind, Hexagon has partnered with India’s Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) to establish a Smart Manufacturing Development and Demonstration Cell (SMDDC), an Industry 4.0 Centre of Excellence and Experience Centre, at the CMTI’s Bengaluru headquarters. Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division is supporting the SMDDC’s implementation and operations through this engagement by providing products, services, and know-how.
4. Training and placement support
Self-paced e-learning modules at a nominal price help students acquire the necessary industry skills and certifications along with their regular studies. With these certifications, they get an opportunity to access platforms such as Hexagon’s “Skill connect” that support students trained and certified in specific technologies to connect with Hexagon’s customers looking for candidates for internships and employment.
As the manufacturing industry embraces new-age technologies, building the right skills will be crucial for a successful transformation. Robust industry-academia partnerships will be the key to building an industry-ready workforce and bridging the skills gap.
Sources:
https://www.fortuneindia.com/long-reads/the-new-age-skill-gap/112580
Shajee Kozhukkunnon is Sr Director – Academia and Skill Development at Hexagon MI. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, Shajee Kozhukkunnon has shown exceptional leadership in managing Mega Projects and high-tech teams in Schneider & State Government Power Utilities. As a passionate advocate for equipping students and employees with cutting-edge technologies and nurturing their leadership potential, he has been driving Hexagon's Academia and Skill Development Initiative since 2022. With a focus on fostering innovation and expertise, Mr Kozhukkunnon plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of skill development and academia in the realm of manufacturing intelligence. A distinguished IIM-B Alumnus and Certified Marshall Goldsmith Coach, his expertise extends across various domains, making him a valuable asset to the industry. Under his visionary guidance, Hexagon is poised to set new benchmarks in skill enhancement and forge impactful partnerships with academia, fueling growth and progress in the industry.
