Imagine a robotics expert who can understand business requirements, install equipment, optimize its performance, automate its processes, and integrate it into any imaginable factory floor – this person would thrive in the new world of advanced manufacturing. On the IMTS+ Main Stage at IMTS 2024, Dr. John Liu, the director of the MIT Learning Engineering and Practice Group, introduced the manufacturing community to such a person in his presentation, “The Technologist.” Positioned between technician and engineer, the new occupation solves key problems in advanced manufacturing. It also addresses glaring workforce gaps and offers a ladder from floor-tech to shop-floor leader. Dr. Liu first offered some data points: manufacturing productivity in the United States has stagnated, while Japan, Germany, and other countries are steadily growing. We are also lagging in technology adoption – the United States is in 10th place for robots installed per 10,000 employees. South Korea is in first place with five times our capacity. Liu suggests the core of the issue is a gap in the workforce. Technicians lack the system-wide perspective of engineers, and engineers lack the hands-on, practical know-how of technicians. Advanced manufacturing demands flawless operation and constant process optimization, which is a tall order for either field alone. Dr. Liu’s team interviewed more than 30 operational leads in companies across New England engaged in manufacturing, and he asked them, “Do you see this gap? If employed, what tasks would you give to the role?” They noted the missing skills and shared that their advanced manufacturing requires both the technician’s practical knowledge and an engineer’s comprehension of the larger system. He also found that the ideal candidate is someone with: strong analytical skills the ability to identify areas of efficiency effective communication According to Dr. Liu, a technologist is a connector, linking technical knowledge with strategic insights to improve operations and catch opportunities for innovation. To develop this new type of worker, Dr. Liu sees the need to address two workforce challenges unique to advanced manufacturing: Shortening shelf-life of technical skills Systems-level thinking Conventional manufacturing training focuses on specific skill sets tied to specific machines. However, in advanced manufacturing, new technologies are integrated on the shop floor at a quickening pace. It isn’t efficient to throw out skill set after skill set. Are there competencies that can endure, even when specific skill sets don’t? Second, technicians are often tied to particular machines. But the technologist needs to integrate and optimize the entire system. Instead of teaching only the “hows” of today’s technology, the MIT program also focuses on teaching the “whys” connecting different skills with their technology education. His program teaches underlying principles that are industry-agnostic and timeless. MIT also wants to expand the narrative that a career in manufacturing leads to career growth by making the technologist role a steppingstone from floor tech to floor leader. The new job title isn’t just another name – it’s a path for U.S. manufacturing to bolster the workforce and reassert its global leadership. Dr. Liu has partnered with New England industry, universities, community colleges, and vocational-tech schools to develop the new curriculum and hopes to begin offering technologist certificates in the fall of 2025, which he believes is a key step in fostering an empowered, resilient advanced manufacturing sector. As the demand for technologists grows, Dr. Liu asserts that companies will see productivity growth and a more innovative, agile workforce ready to lead the way in advanced manufacturing. To learn more about MIT’s vision, read his article here, and see Dr. Liu’s full IMTS+ presentation at IMTS.com/Technologist. Gain more insights from industry leaders like Dr. Liu by watching the other inspiring presentations from the IMTS+ Main Stage at IMTS 2024 IMTS.com/Watch.
The evolving world of robotics and automation is driving the need for new career paths, creating opportunities for workers and positioning the United States to lead in advanced manufacturing. A new program from MIT and collaborating institutions aims to give technicians a ladder to become shop-floor leaders who bridge the gap between technicians and engineers.
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