The NGen N3 Summit on Advanced Manufacturing in Canada has set a forward-thinking precedent for industry leaders in the manufacturing sector. The event underscored the significant shifts occurring within the industry, highlighting the need for adopting innovative practices, taking measured risks, and the imperative to attract and upskill new talent in the era of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI). This article distills Botree’s perspective on the essence of the summit, offering insights and practical advice for transforming the workforce and integrating forward-thinking practices within your organization.
Transforming the Workforce through Measured Risk-Taking
The summit revealed a stark reality: only 1 in 100 tech startups in Canada evolve into established businesses. Despite being one of the top 3 sources of innovation technology in North America (with New York City and San Francisco). This statistic underlines the necessity for measured risk-taking within the manufacturing industry. The journey of advanced manufacturing, creating world-leading products through advanced processes, is not without its challenges. Yet, it is these very challenges that drive innovation and growth. The Canadian manufacturing landscape is evolving, with jobs not only growing but also shifting towards roles that demand new skills and offer better compensation. This evolution is pivotal for businesses aiming to enhance productivity, grow sales, and augment their workforce with higher-paying jobs.
The Imperative for Attracting New Talent
Attracting next-generation talent is crucial for sustaining growth and innovation within the manufacturing industry. The summit highlighted the industry's challenge in bridging the gap between rapidly evolving software and manufacturing. To attract talent with both technological and industry knowledge, businesses must evolve their internal operations. This includes creating equitable access to knowledge and tools and fostering an environment where mentorship focuses on wisdom sharing without barriers to application for newcomers. Such initiatives are essential for making the industry appealing to the next generation, who are not just attracted to technology but to evolved ideas like cleaner energy and sustainability.
Flexible Learning and Adoption of New Technologies
The Botree team found it enlightening to discover how central the adoption of new technologies and flexible learning methods are in keeping pace with the advancements in manufacturing. Learning about Ontario and Manitoba's impressive strides toward sustainability, with 96% and 98% of their energy respectively coming from clean sources, underscored the critical role Canada plays as a leader in global manufacturing and technology. This context brings into sharp relief the importance of leveraging clean energy, especially in processes such as battery production. The revelation that manufacturing an automotive battery on a traditional energy grid emits 17 tonnes of carbon, compared to the 6-8 tonnes produced annually by a gas-powered vehicle, was particularly striking. The summit highlighted the pivotal need to manufacture batteries within clean energy grids as a means to drastically cut carbon emissions, underscoring both the industry's and Canada’s commitment to mitigating global environmental challenges.
Upskilling Soft Skills and Innovation Culture
An often-overlooked aspect of preparing for industry shifts is the importance of upskilling soft skills within your team. The summit discussed the need for a philosophy of deep collaboration and the democratization of knowledge through technology. This approach not only makes sustainability a larger priority but also fosters an innovation culture that permeates all levels of an organization. By encouraging a culture where innovation is explored at every level, businesses can more effectively integrate AI strategies and create a competitive edge on the world stage.
A Call to Action: Auditing for Forward-Thinking Practices
In light of the AI boom of November 2023, it's imperative for organizations to audit their practices for the integration of forward-thinking methodologies. This includes assessing the critical skill sets internal to the organization, the resources allocated to innovation projects, and the strategies in place for taking measured risks. The NGen Future Ready program offers funding training to support these transformative changes, signifying the tangible resources available to manufacturing organizations ready to embark on this journey. Consider becoming part of NGen's network and learn about hundreds of projects they are are investing in.
That's a Wrap on our NGen Experience!
The NGen N3 Summit on Advanced Manufacturing in Canada has laid out a blueprint for success in the evolving landscape of manufacturing. By embracing measured risk-taking, attracting and upskilling new talent, and fostering an innovation culture, industry leaders can steer their organizations towards sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global arena. As we move forward, let this summit serve as a catalyst for change within your organization as it did ours, encouraging you to audit and integrate forward-thinking practices in the wake of the AI revolution.