For decades, people have predicted robots will take jobs away from humans. Just look at the 1960s children’s TV show The Jetsons, set in a world where robots perform many human jobs. Or, more recently, the film The Terminator — a cautionary tale about machine overreach, where robots replace not just jobs but human automation too. However, pop culture is lighter on how automation can enhance jobs, making them safer and quicker for humans. Nevertheless, reaping these benefits means closing a wide automation skills gap, explains Stephen Hayes, managing director at automation specialist Beckhoff UK.
We are routinely told that millions of jobs will be lost to automation, but the real impact depends on how we manage the transition. Deployed effectively, automation systems can make our jobs easier, freeing up human capacity for higher-priority tasks. For example, collaborative robotics (or cobots) are common in factories, used for assembly and packaging tasks, and can improve lifting operations in logistics settings.
However, effective deployment relies on skilled human oversight — otherwise, who’s tracking the terminators?
The automation skills gap
According to a survey by the World Economic Forum, around 50 per cent of all employees will require significant reskilling due to automation and digital transformation. It’s easy to see why. As automation becomes integral to industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, demand for workers skilled in robotics, programming, and systems integration will only increase. However, education and training systems struggle to keep pace with this demand.
In November 2024, Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, launched an Industrial Strategy Skills Commission to help find a solution to the growing manufacturing and engineering skills deficit across the UK. While this is a step in the right direction, any skills-building initiatives should cover automation too. Without skilled staff, companies may face delays in adopting automation, reduced productivity, and an inability to meet market demands. Therefore, closing this gap is vital for ensuring automation enhances, rather than undermines, economic and workforce stability.
Yes, we humans still matter
Despite automation’s increasing capabilities, human oversight remains indispensable. Machines excel in executing programmed tasks with speed and precision but lack the intuition and ethical judgment required in complex, unpredictable scenarios. For instance, in manufacturing, skilled operators can help troubleshoot unexpected system errors, ensure quality control, and adapt processes to evolving demands.
Beckhoff’s advanced PC-based controls and EtherCAT technology exemplify the need for this balance. While our technologies handle repetitive or hazardous tasks, their operation relies on human expertise for programming, monitoring and maintenance. While these systems can enhance human work, our role in guiding and supervising these systems is irreplaceable.
Then there are the ethical considerations, which further underscore the need for oversight. These are the decisions about how automation impacts the environment, safety, or employment require human input — they can’t be made by machine alone.
How can we bridge the gap?
Closing the automation skills gap requires a proactive approach. One solution is for companies to invest in upskilling, offering targeted training programmes to equip their workforce with the knowledge to operate and maintain automated systems. These programmes help employees transition from manual roles into higher-skilled positions, ensuring that workers remain integral to the business.
Another step is collaborating with education providers. By working with schools, colleges and universities, businesses can promote STEM education, vocational training, and apprenticeships tailored to automation-related careers. These partnerships foster a future pipeline of skilled workers ready to tackle the challenges of an increasingly automated world.
At Beckhoff UK, we’ve been playing our part in closing the skills gap. We regularly support apprenticeships, recently welcoming 73 trainees for the 2024 academic year. Our apprenticeships combine academic learning with practical, hands-on experience in automation technologies.
We’re still a far cry from The Terminator and The Jetsons, but robots indeed have the potential to transform our workforces. But this isn’t just about automation replacing jobs, we should instead focus on how this technology can make life easier for staff. This is where the debate should be going, along with the skills we need to make this a reality.
To find out more about Beckhoff’s global training courses for its products and technology, visit the company website and access its training calendar.
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