Imagine you’re a business owner looking to improve your manufacturing processes so you can compete in an industry 4.0 World. You’ve heard about Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and are considering implementing one in your facility. However, you’re worried about the impact it may have on your business and its employees.

The Rise of MES: How It’s Changing the Manufacturing Landscape for Employees

Here’s what to expect:

1. Increased efficiency and productivity: MES can help streamline and automate manufacturing processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. This can create more demand for skilled workers who are proficient in operating and maintaining the MES systems.
2. Changes in job roles and responsibilities: As MES takes over some tasks previously performed by humans, employees’ job roles and responsibilities may shift. Some workers may need to learn new skills to operate and maintain the MES, while others may need to take on different tasks altogether.
3. Improved quality control: MES can help identify and rectify quality control issues in real-time, leading to higher-quality products. This can lead to increased job satisfaction among employees who take pride in producing high-quality goods.
4. Increased data collection and analysis: MES collect large amounts of data about manufacturing processes, which can be analyzed to identify areas for improvement. This can lead to the creation of new job roles for data analysts and other technical professionals.
5. Potential job loss: In some cases, MES may replace some manual labor jobs, leading to potential job loss for some employees. However, this may be mitigated by the increased demand for skilled workers who are proficient in operating and maintaining MES systems.

To benefit from the positive impacts while reducing the negative impacts, your leaders can take several actions.

Here’s where you start:

1. Provide training and upskilling opportunities: Leaders can provide training and upskilling opportunities to employees to ensure they are proficient in operating and maintaining MES systems. This can also help employees take on new job roles and responsibilities, minimizing job loss.
2. Communicate openly with employees: Leaders should communicate openly with employees about the implementation of MES, its potential impacts on their jobs, as well as the organization’s plans for mitigating any negatives. This can help build trust and understanding among employees and minimize anxiety, uncertainty and churn.
3. Involve employees in the implementation process: By soliciting input, feedback, and ideas you can help identify potential issues and opportunities, and ensure employees feel valued and engaged in the process.
4. Foster a culture of continuous improvement: Leaders can foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employees to identify areas for improvement, using data collected. This can help employees see the benefits of MES in improving their work and lead to increased job satisfaction.
5. Offer support and resources for affected employees: Leaders can offer support and resources for employees who may be negatively affected by MES systems. This can include counseling, retraining, job placement services, and other forms of support.

By providing training, communicating openly, involving employees in the implementation process, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and offering support and resources for affected employees, you can help ensure a smooth transition to the MES maximizing the benefits for both the company and employees.

To ensure employees work effectively with (MES), leaders should begin  immediately

Key steps:

1. Set clear expectations: Leaders should set clear expectations for how MES will be used in the manufacturing process, and what employees’ roles and responsibilities will be in relation to the system. This can help ensure that employees understand how their work fits into the overall process.
2. Encourage collaboration: Leaders should encourage collaboration between employees who work with the MES system and those who do not. This can help ensure that all employees have a shared understanding of the system and can work together effectively.
3. Monitor performance: Leaders should monitor the performance of the MES system and the employees who work with it to identify areas for improvement. This can include analyzing data collected by the system and soliciting feedback from employees.
4. Recognize & rewarding success: Leaders should recognize and reward employees who effectively use the MES system and contribute to its success. This can help motivate employees to continue working effectively with the system.

By taking control proactively to steer an implementation, leaders can help maximize the benefits of the MES system for both the company and its employees.

Preparing Your Workforce for the 4^th Industrial Revolution: The Importance of Diverse Skills and Lifelong Learning

Key Skills for Success:

1. Technical proficiency: As other advanced technologies become more prevalent, employers will need to hire employees who are technically proficient and can adapt to new technologies quickly.
2. Data analysis: MES collect large amounts of data, which can be analyzed to identify areas for improvement. Employers will need employees who are skilled in data analysis and can use data to drive decision-making.
3. Soft skills: While technical proficiency is important, employers will also need employees with strong soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and adaptability. These skills will be increasingly important as workplaces become more diverse, and employees work in cross-functional teams.
4. Creative thinking: As some routine tasks become automated, employers will need employees who are skilled in creative thinking and can solve complex problems that require human ingenuity.
5. Emotional intelligence: As workplaces become more collaborative and diverse, employers will need employees who are emotionally intelligent and can work effectively with others, including those from different backgrounds and cultures.
6. Lifelong learning: As technology and automation continue to shape the workplace, employers will need employees who are committed to lifelong learning and can adapt to new technologies and processes quickly.

Bottomline: as MES become more prevalent the impact on employees will depend on multiple factors such as the type of industry, the company’s size, and the specific tasks involved. Follow these guidelines to ensure a successful implementation for your organization and a workforce that is equipped to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution.