The Core Challenge

Young people today start working at manufacturers and end up shaking their heads in disbelief. They find themselves thinking, “What on earth are these people doing? Seriously, how are they even making money?”

Key Issues:

1. Generational Disconnect

– Legacy systems vs. digital natives

– Excel sheets vs. real-time dashboards

– Manual processes vs. automation expectations

– “Born with iPads in their hands”

2. Talent Attraction Barriers

– Legacy manufacturers struggle to attract the top 30%

– Industry 4.0 companies attract better

– Young talent sees outdated processes

3. Knowledge Transfer Crisis

– Aging workforce with critical knowledge

– Gap between old and new ways of working

– Need to digitise tribal knowledge

4. Cultural Transformation Needs

– Must be values and mission-driven

– Need innovation culture

– Require digital-first mindset

The Solution Path:

1. Modernise Systems

– Implement digital tools

– Create a data-driven environment

– Enable real-time decision making

2. Transform Culture

– Embrace innovation

– Support flexibility

– Enable career growth

– Build digital fluency

3. Bridge Generations

– Capture legacy knowledge digitally

– Enable knowledge transfer

– Create mentorship programs

– Build hybrid teams

Young talent wants to be part of transformative change, not maintain legacy systems.

The key isn’t just offering a job – it’s offering an opportunity to make a difference while growing professionally in a modern, forward-thinking environment.