The Digital Workforce

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Digital transformation turns discrete technologies into a fully-integrated ecosystem of hardware, software, data and people: Smart manufacturing builds on traditional automation, adding things like intelligence at the edge, software in the cloud, industrial SaaS, mobile-ready data and human-machine collaboration. Andrew shares how Rockwell and their partner network are developing and deploying this ecosystem-focused approach to industrial applications.
2. The digital workforce needs foundational skills coupled with a STEM approach to learning: In an environment of ever-evolving technology, how do schools adequately prepare students for the workforce? Andrew argues that today's STEM-centric approach to education is the solution: students should learn basic fundamentals (like math & physics), be exposed to modern technology, and most importantly understand the applied purpose of technology (what problem does it solve?) and how people will interact with it in the industrial workforce.
3. Upcoming generations of the digital workforce want purposeful, people-centric careers: What do today's students want out of their future career? Purpose, an opportunity to be challenged, and a place to grow - these have been the key factors for many years. But now, the next generation raised on technology also seek careers where technology and people collaborate symbiotically, a culture that aligns with their personal values, and a company that has a sustainable, responsible presence in the global economy.