How Automation is Transforming the UK Workforce

There’s been a huge increase in the number of businesses looking to boost productivity and efficiency through the adoption of automated technologies. Indeed, a recent report published by Make UK and Infor revealed that over 50% of companies have increased their technological investment, with almost 75% spending more on automation for such purposes. This is having a significant impact on the UK workforce, with a range of challenges and opportunities presented by the transformation.

Here, we’ll focus on Automate UK’s role in supporting businesses and workers as they adapt to these changes. Find out about the upcoming events, where these topics will be discussed in depth.

Workforce Transformation

There’s a mistaken belief that automation always involves the integration of full-scale robotic systems. In reality, it may involve the smaller-scale integration of computer program tools. It’s specific to the digitisation of repetitive and easily duplicated tasks traditionally carried out by human workers. As highlighted in Automate UK’s Manifesto for Automation, many of these tasks fall within the dull, dangerous, and dirty category. Their automation can allow employees greater freedom to focus on activities that call for human creativity and touch.

Of course, human workers need to know how to make the best use of the automated technologies. This calls for an investment in training and the allowance of time for the transition from manual to automated processes. Employees must be prepared to move into new roles, potentially with greater responsibilities and higher earnings. This has been confirmed by Engineering UK’s report on skills needs now and in the future, highlighting the expected requirement for the updating of skills across many roles.

There will inevitably be some variation, with Engineering UK revealing that 27% of tasks in the engineering and technology occupations will be automatable in future. Those forecast to be most affected include process operatives, vehicle technicians, mechanics, and other professions involving routine-based tasks. There’s also variable scope for the integration of efficiency-boosting machinery and robotics, with the adoption of new methods and processes expected in many instances.

Upskilling and Reskilling

As mentioned, there’s a clear need to upskill and reskill the workforce given the transition to an increasingly automated industry. Besides the transformation of some established roles, automation is also likely to bring new, previously unheard-of, opportunities. Engineering UK’s 2024 report projects that 70,000 new positions related to robotics, AI, and data analytics will be created by 2026. Organisations can inspire confidence in the future through investment in training and mentoring to ensure employee understanding of emerging technologies. 

Such requirements are already being met, with a 2024 survey by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) revealing that 62% of manufacturers are investing in training programmes to equip their employees with new skills. Positive results have been confirmed by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) with those companies investing in workforce development seeing a 10% increase in employee retention rates for 2024.

Support from Automate UK

As the leading trade association for automation suppliers and technology end users, Automate UK has a key role to play in aiding the transition to a more digitised world. This will be achieved through the development of training resources, certification programmes and industry events focused on workforce development. We will prepare the next generation, with Automate BEST promoting apprenticeships across the engineering, manufacturing, robotics, and machine vision industries.

Automate BEST initiatives include:

• Offering a range of bursaries and apprenticeship grant options for employers
• Partnering with the BEST Club (current and past apprentices and employers) for the promotion of apprenticeships
• Sharing details of the latest opportunities with prospective apprentices and employers.

For updates on the latest Automate BEST events you can go to our website (link https://www.automate-uk.com/automate-best/about/the-automate-best-team/) or email info@automate-best.org and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Book your spot and explore the training resources available on the Automate UK website to prepare for the future of work.