The World Economic Forum highlights that a “digital mindset” goes beyond simply understanding technology. It’s about cultivating curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, empathy, flexibility and sound judgement to thrive in today’s fast-changing, tech-driven world.
It’s no surprise that these skills are vital for thriving in today’s rapidly changing workplaces. Data from the international Survey of Adult Skills reveals that New Zealand faces a significant gap in this area, with a staggering 55% of adults lacking problem-solving skills in technology-rich environments.
This gap presents a serious challenge for our workforce, leaving many workers unprepared and ill-equipped to use modern digital tools. As a result, their ability to leverage emerging technologies is limited, potentially leading to low engagement and poor performance at work.
While basic computer tasks may be within reach for most, more advanced digital skills are crucial to fully unlocking the potential of today’s smart technologies. These tools can significantly boost efficiency, productivity and safety in our manufacturing workplaces. However, without a digitally capable workforce, many of these benefits may remain untapped.
As smart technologies continue to reshape our workplaces, businesses that prioritise the digital upskilling of their workforce will be the ones to thrive. Those that fail to invest in developing these capabilities risk falling behind, leaving both their people and their operations at a disadvantage.
So why does Digital Capability matter so much for Manufacturing?
For manufacturers, digital capability is not just about implementing the latest software or automating product lines. The end goal should be to build a workplace and culture that foster innovation, agility and forward-thinking.
A digitally fluent workforce can drive innovation, optimise production and improve supply chain efficiency – ultimately aligning technology and talent to transform operations, enabling manufacturers to become world-class.
Building digital capability requires more than just teaching technical skills. It starts with unlocking the digital mindset first and foremost, and then building confidence and competence across these eight key elements:
- Cultural – Understanding how to behave in digital environments.
- Cognitive – Knowing how to use digital tools effectively.
- Constructive – Using technology to create new value.
- Communicative – Mastering digital communication tools for collaboration
- Confident – Cultivating confidence and belonging in digital spaces.
- Creative – Leveraging technology to innovate and solve problems.
- Critical – Evaluating digital information to make informed decisions.
- Civic – Understanding how to engage and participate in digital economy.
These eight elements go well beyond simple technical or system know-how. They represent a more comprehensive approach to digital fluency, empowering workers to navigate the complexities of the digital work-world with greater confidence.
For manufacturers, this means enabling employees not only to use technology, but also to think critically and apply digital solutions in ways that enhance teamwork, boost overall productivity and of course, ensure safety while doing their mahi.
By investing in the right training and upskilling for your workforce, businesses can better prepare their employees for the demands of the digital workplace.
The good news? The Learning Wave is on a mission to help bridge the gap.
We offer a free Digital Skills Assessment designed to provide a clear picture of where your workforce stands in terms of digital fluency. This assessment helps to identify areas for improvement and tailor a training programme that will enhance the organisation’s capabilities, enabling teams to thrive in the modern digital workplace.
Don’t let your organisation fall behind. Take the first step towards building a digitally fluent workforce today. Contact us now to schedule your free digital skills assessment.
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