Summary
Automation Alley is a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) for North America and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus. We facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan's economy.
Welcome to the Great Hiring Disconnect. On Monday morning, a manufacturing executive shared something we hear almost every day: “We have great jobs. We pay well. We just can’t find qualified people.” Less than twenty-four hours later, an experienced engineer told us...
As technology moves faster, operations get more complex. Customers expect more. Systems change. Automation expands. Leaders are being asked to build new capability without slowing the business down. That is why reskilling gets so much attention. Companies invest in...
Future factory manufacturing jobs will look very different by 2035 than they do today. While factories will still need skilled workers, the jobs themselves will continue to evolve. Artificial intelligence, automation, connected systems, and advanced robotics are...
The “Great Hiring Disconnect” isn’t simply a talent shortage—it reflects hiring processes that prioritize perfect resumés, lengthy interviews, and automation over transferable skills, candidate potential, timely decisions, and human judgment.
Reskilling only delivers measurable business value when training is directly tied to operational goals, supported by process changes, and reinforced through day-to-day execution.
Manufacturing jobs in 2035 will increasingly combine technical expertise with AI, automation, robotics, and data-driven problem-solving, making workforce upskilling and adaptability essential for both employers and employees.
