How Automation Technology is Changing the Trade School Landscape

Automation and Trade Schools offer specialized programs that can help individuals gain knowledge and skills to prepare them for a career in the fields of automation or trade. Will automation and artificial intelligence technologies continue to reduce the number of skilled workers in our labor force? Will they also reduce the need for technical college training in the U.S.? Automation often creates as many jobs as it destroys over time. On the other hand, many workers are displaced by it and must compete with automation.

It seems that new technologies are reshaping how workers and their families live and work. How will advanced automation technology change technical college education and the workforce in the future? We must find ways to balance the inequities that arise in both technical training and employees.

Automation Technology Is Expanding

Technical CollegeAutomation technology has countless applications in today’s business and industry. Its expansion is taking over many jobs that were formerly carried out by employees. These current technologies are evolving in manufacturing production, processing, and construction:

Some companies and industries are working toward Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) that:

  • Offers smart automation development
  • Provides flexible machine concepts
  • Generates transparent operations

According to SIEMENS Corporation, some TIA processes have “sustainable solutions that enable access to data to calculate and optimize the product carbon footprint”. Their company is “constantly improving and expanding TIA to be future-proof and adaptive to existing and upcoming challenges.”

Automation and Trade Schools: Automation Versus Humans

Many workers lose out because of advanced automation. Those who are displaced by machines must now compete with them. Since the 1980s, digital automation has caused many production and clerical workers to lose their jobs or see their wages decline. Automation has created new jobs whose pay varies from low to excellent levels.

Consider these current automation facts and future predictions presented by KNOWIT:

  • Soon almost 90% of all customer dialogues will be conducted via chat
  • 45% of all industrial work tasks will be automated and will continue to grow
  • Soon more than 50% of all major business processes and systems will incorporate IoT
  • About 47% of all mature businesses have a clear AI strategy
  • 75% of commercial and military aircraft will incorporate 3D-printed engines and parts
  • We can save 50 million USD each year by using drones instead of vehicles to perform the final legs of their deliveries
  • 2 million industrial robots will soon be in production

Automation technology is reorganizing work and shifting costs to be more efficient. Those employees displaced by automation and AI must find work in other jobs or industries.

“It seems that new technologies are reshaping how workers and their families live and work.”

Automation And Trade Schools: Improve and Adapt Education and Training

Technical College AutomationCorporations around the world must make critical decisions. Should automation and AI replace or complement humans? The bottom line for trade schools is to improve and adapt education and training to meet either of these outcomes. Technical and trade schools must take a serious look at four current associate degree programs to match them with automation:

  • Automation & Electronic Systems Technology
  • Information Technology
  • Instrument & Control Systems Technology
  • Process Technology

All four of these programs are involved in production, processing, assembly, and construction. The program curriculums must reflect the current and best practices in their industries to make them relevant today. If they don’t, education and training will always lag behind and students will not be prepared for their goals and jobs.

So, Are Skilled Trades Safe from Automation?

Automation And Trade SchoolsIn spite of what has been said, the answer is typically ‘yes’ for skilled trade workers in the U.S. The McKinsey Global Institute found that less than 5% of all occupations could be fully automated with modern technology. Remember – automation and AI apply more to factory production, processing, and assembly.

The skilled trades have some insulation from advancing technologies. Automation requires stable conditions to work efficiently and effectively. The more variables found in job descriptions, the harder it is for automated technology to deal with them. As an example, skilled trade workers must possess significant:

  • Dexterity
  • Advanced mobility
  • Motor skills
  • Critical thinking skills

Much of their work is in unstable and undiagnosed environments that robots are not prepared to handle. This is a major plus for tradespeople who face many decisions at a variety of job sites.

Earn Your Associate Degree

Students enrolled in automation and electronic systems technology programs will gain the skills and knowledge for entry-level jobs. They must find an accredited school such as ITI Technical College in Baton Rouge to prepare for the job force and stay on top of new technologies.  Call us today at (877) 591-1070 for more information!

For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at: https://iticollege.edu/disclosures/