Tees Valley manufacturers urged to act now and prepare for automation

Tees Valley manufacturers and engineering firms are being urged to think ahead and prepare for the rising impact of automation.

Around 20,000 people are employed in these sectors across Tees Valley, but new research has suggested that Northern cities like Middlesbrough are much more exposed to job losses due to automation than cities in the South.

Growing use technology that automates manufacturing and engineering processes is changing the landscape for businesses in Tees Valley, according to the Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) project, which believes the developments should be viewed as an opportunity.

Job roles are changing and businesses must reskill staff to help support growth and remain competitive, it said.

SSW is working to help businesses future-proof and prepare their employees with short, fully-funded training courses.

Sue Dawson, who is overseeing delivery of the £3m Skills Support for the Workforce fund in the region, commented: “As automation becomes more commonplace in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, businesses need to accommodate the changes and re-skill staff to ensure they can take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

“New jobs requiring a higher level of skill will be created and roles will evolve as the skills companies require will shift.”

She added: “These changes will happen faster than ever so preparing, retraining and upskilling staff needs to be an urgent priority.”

SSW said employers should create an environment where automation is embraced, not feared.

The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and facilitated by Calderdale College.

Centre for Cities, an independent think-tank set up to improve understanding of UK city economies, was behind the research that said Northern cities face a heightened risk of job losses due to automation.