Craig Nelson, who teaches engineering technology at Scott Community College, said his students are recruited to the Quad Cities region time and time again.
“When we think of automation, we don’t just think about how the machines run and what components they run,” said Nelson. “This is how you program and how do you get them to communicate.”
But despite retraining programs, only a fraction of the laid-off workers learn the new skills to stay in the manufacturing sector, Swenson said. Those with above-average science or math skills make the easiest transition.
“Many workers, regardless of training, are either unqualified or of an age where retraining is difficult,” said Swenson.
Workers who leave production tend to take lower-paying service jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with less than a high school degree are most affected by technological changes in manufacturing. The new skills required of workers, coupled with competition from imports and a decline in mobility, have resulted in a persistent decline in manufacturing employment.
Bill Ratzburg, director of manufacturing and defense for the chamber, said he was not concerned about the net job losses due to automation.
