Advancements in digital technology offer radically new ways of working that can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize manufacturing operations. However, the adoption of technology comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing the manufacturing industry is a labor shortage.

A recent study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, found that up to 2.1 million US manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030, costing the economy a whopping $1 trillion dollars annually. Part of the problem is a skills mismatch. On one hand, manufacturing workers are losing jobs to automation, even as manufacturers find it tough to hire enough people to do the work they need doing.

That’s why manufacturing organizations need to do more to upskill their existing workforce, argues Hao Dinh, Vice President of Technology at Enpro Industries.

In this interview, we spoke with him about the various challenges facing digital upskilling and the Connected Worker, and what industry leaders must consider when driving digital transformation initiatives. His advice on how to digitally upskill your existing workforce offers promising insights and solutions.