For the Engineering sector, new technology and data is central to progression and continued growth. The fourth industrial revolution has been present for some time and with it brings both mass opportunity and equally a great deal of uncertainty – exciting, right?

The Nine Pillars of Industry 4.0

So, let’s look at what we know. The Boston Consulting Group highlights nine divisions or “pillars” which compose Industry 4.0. These are:

• Big Data and Analytics

• Autonomous Robots

• Simulation

• Horizontal and Vertical System Integration

• The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

• Cybersecurity

• The Cloud

• Additive Manufacturing

Surprisingly, many of the above have already established their presence in manufacturing. It is, however, the integration and collaboration of these elements which truly defines Industry 4.0.

The Affects of Industry 4.0 on Recruitment

So how will this impact the Engineering sector as we know it? Well, in four very exciting ways: Productivity, Revenue Growth, Investment and Employment.

With a focus on employment, Industry 4.0 boasts a need for enhanced skills in software, connectivity and data. According to hr40.digital, these skills are:

• Complex-problem solving

• Critical thinking

• Collaboration & Communication

• Data-savvy

• Adaptable

• Systematic

• Analytical

• Cybersecurity

• Process knowledge

Organisations and countries with skilled, and often high-cost, labour as well as newly educated workforces are better equipped to capitalise on change in comparison to organisations who aren’t willing to invest in a tech-savvy workforce required to fully appreciate the fourth industrial revolution. During potential periods of skills shortages, there is an acknowledged challenge of attaining highly specialised talent to fulfil such a transition especially when operating within a candidate-led market.

It is important to note that on-boarding an industry-experienced, skilled individual is much more likely to bridge the skills gap and immediately influence organisational direction through sharing knowledge and experiences with the current workforce, as oppose to phases of upskilling existing individuals.

FMC Engineering Software

FMC Engineering Software focuses entirely in delivering specialised, exclusive talent within each of the above nine divisions with thousands of unique, qualified off-market connections to fulfil a wide range of C-Level, Sales and Technical openings. For more information, please visit our website.