With the Internet of Things (IoT) both in everyone’s personal lives and business, it has prompted the digital transformation of the manufacturing sector. The usage of technology has grown within the sector, where it is assisting companies with activities such as order and production management, remote-controlled forklift trucks, automated consignment stock replenishment, to streamlining all operational processes. The need for efficiency creates jobs in innovation along with technical resources required to develop and support these new ways of managing processes - which is consequently supporting growth in the technology sector and creating more job opportunities.
Companies such as WinMan provide the manufacturing sectors with simple ERP software solutions to help them meet complex challenges, optimise operational processes, release additional capacity and maximise profits.
WinMan offers a range of roles from tech-based to commercial roles, where employees learn a variety of transferable skills and also build their knowledge about the manufacturing industry, which in turn helps them better support their customers.
The technology sector is an area of growth which has been further accelerated, with global events that took place in 2020. "Many manufacturing firms have taken this opportunity to re-evaluate existing processes and look for ways to improve productivity and minimise waste. We have seen an increase in interest both from our existing customer base and new customers to review their processes and operations and see how ERP software can support them further. " Jonathan Davies, Director, WinMan explained.
Working in ERP requires the ability to understand basic manufacturing processes, stock management to accounting functions - which makes supporting manufacturers a varied and interesting role, as every customer's needs are slightly different.
The digitalisation of operations and process automation also means the creation of tech roles within the manufacturing companies. As the industry knowledge and transferable skills learnt over time by working in the technology sector can be utilised in roles within manufacturing industries and vice versa.
Jonathan concluded, "In the past, we have had employees with a manufacturing background join us. Their experiences and skill sets are invaluable to us. We have also had employees that ventured into the manufacturing sector with the skills they learnt about ERP. Firms like WinMan support manufacturers daily. As the demand for ERP solutions grows, it will create jobs in both sectors, as often you will have an ERP lead within the manufacturing company as well."
Made Futures was created to encourage people to get jobs in manufacturing, in support of those who have lost their jobs over the course of the 2020 pandemic. There's still time to sign up and be part of the exhibition by filling in the form here.
