Portrait Of An Experienced Technologist Worker Standing In Food
Portrait of an experienced technologist worker standing in food factory. In background automated conveyor machine with bottled sunflower oil.

Manufacturing workers are aware of technology’s increasingly important role in their industry, with more than half willing to accept a pay cut to work in a more tech-driven factory, according to Epicor’s second annual “Voice of the Essential Manufacturing Worker” report

The report, based on a survey of 600 U.S.-based manufacturing workers, also found that the majority of workers (83%) who’ve used new tools or technologies said it boosted their efficiency. And the percentage who believe their jobs will be replaced by automation has dropped from 64% last year to 52% this year.  

However, manufacturing companies are slightly less eager to embrace technology this year (48% are eager, down from 50% last year), and only 39% of surveyed workers report that their workplace is “very modern.” Nearly 18% say their workplace is “not very modern at all.” And though seven in 10 companies are making upskilling their employees a priority, this percentage is down 10% from last year.

Morale among manufacturing workers is trending down, too — only 45% of manufacturing employees report high workforce morale this year, a drop from 52% last year. In search of more paid time off, flexible schedules, and attentive employers, 43% of respondents are thinking about leaving their jobs within the next year. More than half of surveyed workers (55%) would also like to see more sustainable working conditions, but just 45% say their companies have made this a priority. 

See the full report for more insights into the priorities and expectations of frontline manufacturing employees. 

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